
The Women of the Mayflower 

and 

Women of Plymouth Colony 



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The Women of the Mayflower 

r 

and 

Women of Plymouth Colony 



By 

Ethel J. R. C. Noyes 



Plymouth, Massachusetts 
1921 



Copyright, 1321, by 
ETHEL J. R, C. N0YE8.V 



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Linotyped and Printed by Memorial Press, Plymouth, 



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FOREWORD. 

The Pilgrim Women have been written about so 
little that it is indeed a pleasure to welcome a book 
bearing the title, ' ' The Women of the Mayflower and 
Plymouth Colony." History has dwelt long and 
minutely upon the Pilgrim Fathers and their great 
adventure, but has passed over the women with a 
generalization and occasionally a tribute. Even 
their contemporaries have had but little to say 
about them. The author of this little book is to 
be highly commended therefore for this much need- 
ed addition to our meagre store of literature about 
the mothers of this Nation. 

There is much need to-day to perpetuate their 
spirit, to practise their faith, to maintain their 
ideals. They loved liberty and endured hardship, 
sacrifice and suffering for its sake. They built the 
homes of the Nation on the foundation of English 
ideals of home and family life which we cherish 
to-day as ours. They served their homes and the 
community life of the colony with loyal and un- 
swerving devotion. They brought up their families 
in those rugged virtues and a living faith in God, 



4 Foreword 

without which nations perish. They have a message 
for us to-day, calling us back, not to their austerities 
but to their righteousness and spirituality. Such 
books as this help to spread that message through- 
out the Nation. 

(Signed) Anne Rogers Minor, 

President General, 
National Society, Daughters of the American 
Revolution. 



The Women of the Mayflower 

and 

Women of Plymouth Colony 




The Great North Road . 
The Sword of the Spirit 
Under the Lindens of Leyden 
The Fire of Faith 
The First Street . 
The Bride Ship 

Beneath the Pines of Plymouth 
A Chaplet of Rosemary 



11 

2.S 

35 

55 

83 

119 

131 

183 



THE GREAT NORTH ROAD. 




Part of design of Bampler made by Lora Standiah. May be 
seen in Pilgrim Hkll, Plymouth. 



THE GREAT NORTH ROAD. 

Three hundred and a few more years ago the 
Great North Road leading from London to Edin- 
burgh ran through and by an English village in 
Nottinghamshire just as it had done three hundred 
years earlier than that and as it has these three 
hundred years. The streets of the village ran 
toward it and into it as brooks flow to a river, it 
being the main thoroughfare of travel and therefore 
source of all outside interests for the inhabitants 
of the village. 

At the corner as one could say, of one of these 
little streets or roads where it joined the Great 
Road, one spring day of the sixteenth century, we 
might see a group of some of the villagers, young 
people principally, and it is plain some event of 
unusual interest has called them together; they 
are laughing and waving to a young man who rides 
away from them down the road, a friend who has 
been one of them from childhood and popular as 
evidenced by the number who have been wishing 
him a safe journey and all the usual farewells of 
any time and place. This young man with the 
pleasing face and manner is the son of the post- 
master of the village and he goes to college ; his 
erstwhile companions gaze after his retreating figure 
down the Great Road through the meadows and 



12 The Women of the Mayflower 

farm lands and there is one girl looks the longest — 
a girl named Mary. 

Other times other manners in some things — yet 
even today in another country village we have seen 
the postmaster's son leave home for college, not ou 
horseback but in an automobile, and a gay crowd of 
his friends seeing him off, his presence to be missed 
in much the same degree as among those we are now 
viewing with the mind's eye. Though time and 
circumstance be the result of the passing of three 
hundred years, human nature remains as unchanged 
as the sky and sea ; the student of the present whom 
we mention may be cousin of a Cabinet official, that 
scarcely is remembered at the moment, neither is it 
thought of that the boy who rides on the Great 
Northern Road is a member of one of the most sub- 
stantial county families, with powerful friends 
ecclesiastical and lay. As the turn of the road will 
soon take him from sight, he looks back at the group 
watching him for a final wave of his hat, then rides 
on towards his destination, Cambridge, thinking, 
perhaps, of the gentle Mary, whom we have noted, 
whose fine character and winning ways are already 
an influence with him and not thinking at all, or 
knowing, of another Mary who is to be perhaps an 
equal if not more potent influence in his life — a 
woman in as great a contrast in rank and circum- 
stance as the difference may be between a queen and 
a village maid. 

The gay group now lessens as some turn their 
steps towards their daily tasks, a few of the boys 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 13 

perchance to a long walk to the nearest school, few 
and far between in those days; others to help in 
the farm work, if parents could not spare them; 
the girls to look after the flocks on the Commons, or 
home work, such as cooking, wool spinning, caring 
for the children or the sick. In this time and local- 
ity no hospitals, orphanages or homes for the aged 
were there to relieve the sick or homeless; friend- 
ship and charity must indeed have reached a crest 
among these only moderately well to do people, 
education was backward from conditions easily 
found, yet a thread pf knowledge of life in other 
countries as well as their own came almost daily to 
these quiet, rustic people, not by books or news- 
papers, (the first seen rarely, the last not existing), 
nor by letters which were not publicly delivered by 
the government until some time later, but by the 
constant travellers on foot or on horseback by the 
Great Road. The post house, both an inn, relay 
station and receptible for news, though not a post 
office as is today thought of by the words, was the 
finest house in this particular town and well known, 
from the north country to London. The position 
of postmaster was a coveted benefaction of the gov- 
ernment, the salary being large and enabling the 
official to lease the manor house from a wealthy 
ecclesiastic. The office at this time had been re- 
tained in one family for several generations. Thus 
the men and women and children, of course, had 
plenty to talk about beside their local interests at 
gatherings at the inn or after church services on 



14 The Women of the Mayflower 

Sundays, for the old Church still was revered and 
followed, the changes that were coming to some of 
its then supporters not yet discernable. 

As we have selected a spring day for our glimpse 
into this long ago life we may hear conversation 
among our young friends of the coming May Day 
fetes and procession of mummers and maskers, and 
plans being formed and opinions given as to who 
should act the usual characters in the masque of 
Robin Hood. It was a pity indeed that "Will" 
would not be with them this year ; who might be 
Alan a Dale in his stead? But Will was graver 
since learning Latin and Greek, perhaps he would 
not care for their good times as much as he used to. 
A mistake surely — Will was just as sociable and 
genial as ever. 

Thus Mary and an Alice and Elizabeth and 
another Mary and Katherine chatted away of com- 
ing pleasures and absent friends as blithe as any 
similar bevj' of girls in a far futured century from 
theirs can do. 

In front of one of the cottages another group has 
gathered ; a peddler has come in and the older 
women have let the brew and baking wait a few 
moments to hear the news of the towns he has come 
from on his chain of travel, where other friends 
dwell, and to see his merchandise. The girls' eye.^ 
gleam as they join the listeners and prospective buy- 
ers, departing Will and coming dances forgotten 
for the moment in this new interest of the day. 
Joy! Patty, across the river, has sent a message to 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 15 

Bess; not a written note, oh, no, for neither she 
could write nor Bess could read it, but a message 
well delivered by the friendly vender of trifles, so 
why give a thought to a lack of ability to read or 
write just then, when one has learned, nevertheless, 
the latest important event in the life of a dear friend 
in her very own words. The peddler was a reliable 
and patient transmitter of words or gifts; a tele- 
phone and parcel post in one, and always a welcome 
visitor. Today he might be telling of the pageant 
lately given in a city not far away in distance, but 
far in fact to them, to entertain the Queen on a visit 
she had made there in the interests of the enterprise 
and industry that "Good Queen Bess" endeavored 
to prosper in her land. Fashions were also described, 
as the old time peddlers were indeed specialists in 
much beside selling commodities and fancies. It is 
decided that Molly "shall have a new ribbon to tie 
in her nut brown hair." A new clasp knife is 
needed by some one; — listen to the tale of the 
strange vegetables now being brought for the nobles 
and gentry from the place called the Queen 's kitchen 
garden in Holland. He had seen them and they 
were good to taste ; — a measure of linen ? yes ; starch 
just imported and the use explained; a looking- 
glass, none too many on hand for comfort; a Bible 
printed in English by a Dutch printer — he has just 
sold one to the rector in a neighboring town — and 
so the peddler passes by. 

An arrival at the inn, later in the day, of a high 
dignitary of the Church with his train of employees 



13 The Women of the Mayflower 

made bustle about the village while horses were 
changed. Towards evening, many of the people 
gathered about the manor house, old in their day, 
and while the sunset gleamed in the fish ponds on 
the estate and touched the church's spire, they 
talked of that day's and other day's events, dis- 
cussed the curtailment of the commons, as the land- 
lords enclosed more and more, whereof one had said 
not that geese were stolen from the common but 
the common taken from under the geese; stories 
heard from travellers, or doubted what they could 
not believe. A noted personage had passed that way 
quite recently who had made more than ordinary 
impression, a gentleman of the court going on an 
important mission to Scotland, then quite as foreign 
seeming a country as Holland, where this gentleman 
had lived also. He had talked especially with Will, 
the postmaster's son and seemed glad to hear about 
his studies, and was altogether friendly. But few 
travellers changed the course of the lives of any of 
the dwellers in this community as this same pleasant 
gentleman was to do for some. Could Mary have 
dreamed that she should see her Will one day riding 
away again, not to studies of Latin and Greek but 
in company with this same gallant gentleman, to 
the study and knowledge of a new world and 
language, as private secretary of Queen Elizabeth's 
ambassador to Holland ? 

Neighborly visits, while the twilight lingers after 
babies are in their cradles, for recounting impres- 
sions and retelling news; thus the women of that 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 17 

little village close a day like many another of which 

their lives were made. 

"Weaving through all the poor details 
And homespun warp of circumstance 
A golden woof -thread of romance." 

Time to measure of several years, is spent almost 
unnoted by these quiet dwellers in the village of 
Scrooby, the village we have pictured ; life for them 
does not greatly change, but for William Brewster, 
the postmaster's son, change, variety, experience, 
have filled each day since Mr. Davidson, the Queen's 
ambassador and advisor, called him to become his 
secretary and confidential friend. The experiences 
of this period both abroad and in his own country 
have been narrated by many and may be read in 
various writings. At the close of these interesting 
years, when all things pointed to a continuance of 
the brilliant life stretching before him as courtier 
or politician, suddenly all was changed. One day, 
news came to Scrooby, as to the rest of the country, 
that Mary the Beautiful, exiled Queen of Scots, was 
dead. How this event directly affected William 
Brewster and brought him to his home again may 
also be read elsewhere. He became once more a 
country resident, welcomed and beloved by all his 
old friends. The day of days dawned for Mary and 
smiled upon her marriage with Will. He received 
the appointment to the Scrooby post, in succession 
to his father, so the old manor house became home 
to Mary for many years, and as the wife of the most 



18 The Women of the Mayflower 

respected and admired man of the community — the 
leader in thought and opinion, her days must have 
been filled with honest pride and pleasure and love 
for her husband and children. That these happy 
years should close with anxiety, distress, poverty as 
her portion was because of the very importance of 
her husband's position. 

The causes which made for the startling contrast 
were slow in gathering yet when accumulated, the 
effects followed with rapidity. Naturally, as Wil- 
liam Brewster settled back into his old place at the 
home of his boyhood, the differences he had noted 
between life on the Continent and in his native 
country made an ever recurrent impression. The 
w^ord pictures he drew of vastly different scenes and 
manners, customs and dress found an ever ready 
audience and were recounted in the effort to broaden 
and educate his hearers. At the same time, he 
resumed acquaintance with college friends in other 
places and persuaded some to move into his locality. 

During these years, the farmers found living 
much more difficult, owing to landlord's selfishness 
who were growing richer while their tenants grew 
poorer, also these country people found their 
religious life growing more difficult. Church and 
State were one, and ordered its subjects' lives from 
the beginning to the end ; persons \vho did not care 
to be so controlled were soon made to see the error 
of their ways. Nevertheless, as the Bible was made 
accessible to more of the people from being printed 
in their own language, and as workers from the Con- 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 19 

tinent, chiefly Holland, came to live and mix with 
the English, other ideas and views were taken by 
some, quite different from the long dominant ones 
of the State Church. 

Enough of these persons who thought alike separ- 
ated from the old Church to call themselves a new 
Church and held religious services among themselves 
at their own houses. William Brewster was the 
leader in his part of the country, and so many gladly 
followed his teachings and example that the Church 
tried in every way to restrain them. Brewster's 
personal charm and influence, his intellect and' gen- 
erous spirit drew countless numbers of men and 
women for miles around to his home for the worship 
they conducted according to their ideas of right and 
liberty of conscience. After the service in the old 
Chapel of the manor house, he entertained all the 
company at dinner. 

Just here we can see Mary Brewster, the sympa- 
thetic and charming hostess, her fair face silhouetted 
against the dark, age old wainscot of the refectory 
or dining-room, of the manor inn, surrounded by her 
and her husband's early friends and those of later 
years, loved by them all for herself no less than as 
the wife of their revered leader. 

These gatherings came to be held in secret, ol: 
necessity, as the members were liable to arrest for 
absenting themselves from the regular Church serv- 
ices and teaching other views. Spies were set to 
report their actions, and some were called before 
the magistrates and sent to prison. It became plain 



20 The Women of the Mayflower 

that they could not continue in that manner — un- 
certainty and anxiety becoming daily companions. 

Queen Elizabeth died ; her successor rode down 
from Scotland on the Great North Road and stopped 
with all his retinue at Scrooby. This was doubtless 
the last brilliant assembly that the manor saw, when 
the home of the Brewster's, The people hoped for 
better things at his accession, but soon learned that 
he was to be just as hard upon them and times would 
be worse. Plans were made among them under the 
guidance of Brewster for emigration to Holland 
where, as he knew, there was liberty and welcome 
for all. 

It is not difficult to realize the reluctance with 
which they came to this decision, to leave all their 
natural associations, to give up much that was dear 
with almost no hope of a return. Sad indeed were 
these days for Mary Brewster and the other women 
of the community who were preparing like her to 
part with much of their belongings, their homes and 
friends who could not think as they did but were 
cherished, notwithstanding. 

"Well worthy to be magnified are they 
Who with sad hearts of friends and country took 
A last farewell, their loved abodes forsook, 
And hallowed ground in which their fathers lay." 

The final summer for them in the old home 
passed ; that each sunset brought a certain regret, 
each rose that bloomed a more than passing atten- 
tion we may believe. Yet it seemed the best thing 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 21 

they could do for themselves and their children. In 
the place where they would make their new home 
others of English birth and similar experiences were 
already settled, having been, as they, forced to leave 
their own land; at least they would be welcomed by 
and could have intercourse and sympathy with those 
of their own race and country, advice and help also 
in the matter of the problem of living — a somewhat 
staring one, as they were ignorant of any solution 
but their own. Curiosity, too, supposed ever to be 
an attribute of women, might pierce their melan- 
choly a little, and they had heard enough to wish to 
behold for themselves since the opportunity had 
come ; the enthusiasm for adventure on the part of 
the children must have lightened the prospect as 
well. The pain was in giving up the dear interests, 
the fond associations of their lives. 

Dull indeed the eye of fancy which cannot see 
Mary Brewster with her two little daughters coming 
down the stone steps of the manor house in a golde?! 
evening, to follow the path through the meadow 
fields towards Ryton stream and there wander on its 
banks, visiting favorite nooks and listening to the 
bird's good night, for them seeming notes of fare- 
well. As Experience wears ever the same dress, her 
mirror must reflect for each of us some such scene 
as this. 



THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. 




Ucsifrn of carving- on pew back from old Church at Scrooby, 
England. May be seen in Pilgrim Ilall, Plymouth. 



THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. 

A Ship had been engaged to meet them at Boston 
from where these travellers were to sail. The first 
stage of their journey was accomplished by their 
arrival at that town. Since the edict that whoever 
did not subscribe to and uphold the State Church 
must leave the country, one would suppose that their 
proposed departure would not have been difficult, 
but when it was discovered how many desired to go 
and had so arranged, malice itself must have been 
the cause of the refusal of the authorities to permit 
it. The ship's master then had to be well paid to 
consent to take them away in secret. Instead of 
meeting them at the appointed time in daylight, he 
kept them waiting until night, but they all were 
finally on board with their baggage. Before the 
ship had gotten a fair start, however, they were 
stopped by the port authorities who had been warned 
by the ship's owner, himself. The voyagers were 
taken from the ship back to the town in small boats, 
their belongings examined and those of most value 
as well as all their money taken from them, the 
women having to undergo as thorough a search of 
their persons as the men, which their own chronicler 
speaks of with indignation. Still further embarrass- 
ment awaited these women when they were all 
marched through the town in the early morning and 



26 The Wonicn of the Mayflower 

people hurried into the streets to stare at them as 
at a spectacle, and followed them into the court 
room. Here the magistrates were more favorably 
disposed toward them but were obliged to order 
their imprisonment until the Lords in Council 
should decide their case. After a month's confine- 
ment, which was made only less trying and uncom- 
fortable by the kind hearted magistrates — to their 
great credit — the women and children and most of 
the men were dismissed and sent back whence they 
came, by order of the Council; the more prominent 
men were kept till the autumn was far advanced 
before their freedom was granted. 

The wounds to their feelings were healed by de- 
termination, and after an unexpected winter among 
their friends, who in vain urged the abandonment of 
their plans, some of them were ready to make a 
second attempt to accomplish their object. 

Brewster and several men, especially his friend, 
John Robinson, made other and as they thought 
safer arrangements for this venture. So one bleak 
day at the end of the winter, the women and chil- 
dren, with the necessary baggage, embarked in a 
small boat at an inconspicuous place on the coast, 
and sailed out on the sea. The large boat chartered 
for the voyage was to await them at an appointed 
place near the shore, between Grimsby and Hull, 
and the men were to go by land to meet it and 
the small boat bringing their families and pos- 
sessions; all were to board it, and hoping for a 
more trusty master of this ship before news of their 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 27 

plans would get to unfriendly ears, would be away. 

Such good time was made by the little boat from 
shore to rendezvous, that it reached the appointed 
place before the larger ship arrived and must ride 
at anchor in a choppy sea. The women being unac- 
customed to travel by sea were most uncomfortable, 
and the weather becoming worse, with the boat 
pitching and tossing so continuously they were 
driven to desperation and begged the seamen to run 
the boat into an inlet where the water was quiet, 
that they might have some rest. The men evidently 
compassionate, did so, but it was a most unfortunate 
move, though seemingly harmless. The night was 
spent in that strange and lonely place, while their 
thoughts must have been busy with questionings as 
to the non-arrival of the ship and the possibility of 
the men being arrested before they could get to 
them ; the cold was penetrating and in their efforts 
to keep the children warm and quiet, the keeping up 
of their own courage was under long odds. 

In the dimness of the dawn, they could see the 
ship making anchor, and on shore, their men could 
also be seen, so hope arose with the morning, sooii 
to be overcast, however, when it was realized that 
their little boat was fast on shore, and no chance 
of release till the tide rose. The resourceful Dutch 
captain of the larger ship, endeavoring to honestly 
earn his money, sent his own small boat to shore to 
gain time by taking on the men. These activities 
gave the children some entertainment at least, we 
suppose, and they doubtless waved and called to 



28 The Women of the Mayflower 

their fathers and friends as the first boat load left 
shore and boarded the ship; the second trip was 
begun when suddenly the watchful captain saw an 
armed company appearing in the distance; one 
glance and his efforts were all in the direction of 
getting himself and his boat to safety, no matter 
who might be on it or who not on it. His sails were 
quickly run up, his anchor raised, notwithstanding 
the entreaties of the men, who also realized the sit- 
uation, to send them ashore, at least, if he would not 
stay. The plight of the women and children, help- 
less onlookers of this tragic end of their plans, drove 
the men wellnigh frantic, both on the ship and on 
shore. The ship was soon out of sight, flying before 
a good wind, but into as great a storm as they left 
breaking behind. 

Quick consultation among the remaining men de- 
cided who should try to escape and who would 
remain with the women. It was wiser that not all 
should be taken this time if it could be avoided. 
Some of them, therefore, thus leaving their friends 
and families in this dire situation, got safely away, 
though their position was no more enviable than 
those husbands and brothers who were taken away 
on the ship. No marvel that the women, even the 
bravest, were heartsick and in tears, with their 
husbands apparently lost and the children, fright- 
ened, cold and sobbing, clinging to them. But 
they had two or three of the men, and well could 
Mary Brewster be a tower of strength to most, 
seeing her own husband still on the shore and know- 



and Wome7i of Plymouth Colony 29 

ing what a rock he would be for them all to lean on. 

When the company of men on horseback and on 
foot came to the water's edge, where the boatload of 
women and the few men awaited their fate at their 
hands, they placed them under arrest and hurried 
them' to the nearest town, to the court. 

With their former experience in mind, they anti- 
cipated a long, dreary imprisonment; but unlooked 
for circumstances pleaded their cause. Each magis- 
trate before whom they were taken in turn, with 
ever increasing haste, seemed anxious to shelve the 
responsibility of a sentence. Their case seemed so 
innocent and pitiable, the appearance of so many 
despondent women and chilled and shivering child- 
ren, so appealing, that no justice could harden his 
heart sufficiently to imprison them, more especially 
when their only crime seemed to be the desire to be 
with their husbands, wherever they went, which 
was certainly a compliment to men in general. When 
urged to go to their homes, their reply that they 
had no longer any homes, capped the climax, and, 
fearing criticism of any harsh treatment, the magis- 
trates were most eager to be rid of the matter on 
any excuse to themselves. Without realizing it, as 
the nerves of the women were strained to the break- 
ing point, they certainly affected the nerves of the 
men, and when the judges dismissed them, finally, 
from sheer desperation, even the men of the com- 
pany being included, it would have been hard to 
say which parted from the other with most pleasure. 

That day's experience, in all its misery, however, 



30 The Women of the Mayflower 

advertised them in an unimagined way, for, though 
they only desired an inconspicuous and quiet life, 
the story of their wanderings and hardships was 
soon talked of and many came to hear of them and 
consider their cause with interest and sympathy', 
and, indeed, led to their making new friends and 
gaining help later on. Nevertheless, their weariness 
was far from over, and, throughout that spring, 
Brewster and Robinson, in the face of other disap- 
pointments and difficulties, used their final resources 
to get the women and children and themselves out 
of their net of trouble. 

Yet in the end their dauntless efforts were suc- 
cessful. Their own historian tells us that, notwith- 
standing, they all got away after a time and "met 
together again according to their desires, with no 
small rejoicing." 



This happy place of meeting and rejoicing was 
Amsterdam, the city of their intentions when plan- 
ning to leave England. The comparing of adven- 
tures since they had been swept apart by the tumul- 
tuous circumstances of their departure must indeed 
have been a refreshment to their minds as the safe 
arrival at their destination gave rest to their bodies. 

The anticipated welcome of the English people, 
who had already settled in the city and had churches 
for worship according to their several ideals, was 
cordial and sympathetic. We may be sure that the 
women of the longer residence were only too happj*" 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 31 

to show and tell of this wonderful city, to the new- 
comers, and that the women in whom we are espe- 
cially interested would have been glad indeed that 
such guides and advisors should have been there to 
help them assimilate the countless new impressions 
which were next in the path of their experience. 
While each old friend or comparatively new 
acquaintance who had been of their original party 
at home, must have grown doubly dear by similar 
situation in the surrounding strangeness of this new 
world with all its marvels and perplexities. The 
contrast between the quiet existence they had led so 
long and the bustling, colorful life into which they 
were plunged, might well have dazed them for a 
time had not a certain sort of commotion and 
change attended them, in the interval, and been an 
unforseen preparation for steadiness in any con- 
fusion of circumstance. 

We may picture Mary Brewster, an example of 
their steadfast purpose, meeting the new and trying 
conditions of poverty, a new language and different 
modes of living in calm cheerfulness. Love and loy- 
alty to the men of their families would actuate every 
woman to do her best in making the homes these same 
men had now to struggle to provide. Mutual under- 
standing and common interests were great factors 
in smoothing the rough places. These men, now or 
afterwards, never thought of going first as pioneers 
to provide a home for their wives and sisters to 
come to ; they well knew that the women were the 
ones to make the homes for them. It was such a 



32 The Women of the Mayflower 

matter of course that the question seems never to 
have arisen, likewise never commented on ; one of 
the reasons why we encounter such a scarcity of 
details that we would gladly read in their records. 

At this time even the names of the women seem 
hidden as by the very secrecy of their journeyings. 
Later the mist clears for us somewhat. Only the 
figures of Mary Brewster and her young daughters, 
Fear and Patience, Mrs. Robinson, the pastor's wife, 
and her daughters are comparatively clearly out- 
lined in the picture we try to see just here. 

Nevertheless, it was because of a woman and her 
clothes, especially a velvet hood, that was a prime 
cause of their moving from this scarcely established 
home; even as the long shadow of a woman had al- 
ready fallen indirectly upon them in their original 
home and ultimately made for their departure 
thence. 

Let us seem to be standing on the banks of a canal 
of Amsterdam. It is a brilliant winter afternoon 
and the scene is animated and full of color, for skat- 
ers are flying over the ice and spectators are watch- 
ing them or walking about. Here is a group of 
women, there are one or two whom we recognize, 
at least, having seen them in England. The wife 
of the pastor of the Separatist Church which is 
seeking a home, Mrs. Robinson, and the wife of the 
leader of his congregation, Mrs. Brewster, with them 
a lady much more elaborately dressed than either of 
them, the wife of the pastor of the Separatist Church 
already established in Amsterdam, Mrs. Johnson. We 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 33 

feel quite sure it is she, for what is the advantage of 
having fine clothes if one may not wear them where 
many can see, on a gay afternoon in a big city espe- 
cially, and has it not been a matter of indifference 
to her what comments are made or how nearly her 
husband's church is rent asunder? These new 
friends are a pleasure to her since they do not criti- 
cize but only admire her appearance. Their 
attitude, if reflected from the male members of their 
party is that the style of woman's costume is a 
detail, and may be according to her station, the one 
point being that it should be paid for. 

Mrs. Johnson is probably giving her point of view 
of the matter and an opinion of her brother-in-law, 
in the controversy, which is a matter of record. 
Meanwhile, the eyes of the mothers see the bright 
faces of their children, and their voices come to 
them from the ice. John and Jonathan are being 
called to by a number of girls as they start to race 
to a goal. 

The girls have some of their new friends with 
them, fair English roses like themselves, all for the 
present blooming together in this country of tulips 
— Bridget and Mercy Robinson, Fear and Patience 
Brewster, Jacquelin and Dorothy May, the latter, 
daughters of the elder of Mr. Johnson's church. 
Dorothy and Patience, lighthearted children, never 
giving thought to the web Fate is weaving for them. 
Soon to part, after a brief acquaintance, but to 
renew it in a few years, because Dorothy is a mag- 
net to draw back to Amsterdam the grave young 



34 The Women of the Mayflower 

man so frequently seen with her father and Mr. 
Brewster, at this time, and will herself leave her 
home there to join these friends again. And 
Patience is to become the wife of a man of promi- 
nence and influence just as her mother had done. 
These are future visions indeed, yet these two girls, 
as they stand side by side, are the presentment of 
the women (though ship and Colony were then un- 
dreamed of) causing the special designation in the 
title of this story. 

Therefore because of the turmoil regarding Mrs. 
Johnson's apparel and other matters affecting the 
congregation, John Robinson and William Brewster 
thought it wiser to remove their people from such 
ensuing contentions, notwithstanding it would entail 
the search for new employments and cause some 
more expense. 

It was ever the Sword of the Spirit — the spirit 
of self-sacrifice, "whatsoever it should cost them," 
to attain their cherished object, democratic religious 
and civil government, that led them onward, step 
by step, to the victory which was to be theirs. 

This change of surroundings was accomplished 
with much less stress and strain than their former 
one. Their new companions in Amsterdam were 
sorry to have them go ; while a welcome from strang- 
ers awaited them in the city of their choice. 



UNDER THE LINDENS OF LEYDEN. 



UNDER THE LINDENS OF LEYDEN. 

The chimes from the spire of the State House 
rang out an evening hour. There seemed no unusual 
portent in this daily custom to the ear of workers 
in the busy city turning homewards at close of da3^ 
Yet in that hour on that calm evening of early 
summer, history was being made for that city, and 
to its honored name was added an interest for thous- 
ands of a future day by the seemingly unimportant 
event then taking place. 

A large canal boat, one of the many that plied 
between Amsterdam and Leyden, was nearing its 
mooring at the close of the day's trip and a number 
of persons were on the quay apparently awaiting 
its arrival. The boat was heavily ladened with 
freight and passengers, the household belongings 
and persons of a number of families. If some of the 
members looked a trifle anxious, all seemed happy 
and still interested in all to be viewed at the end of 
a pleasant journey that had been full of new sights 
for the majority. A pleasanter voyage than many 
had experienced within the year, and with much 
uncertainty and strangeness eliminated from this 
landing at Leyden which had harassed their arrival 
at Amsterdam ; for these are the pilgrims from Eng- 
land, to whom the authorities of this city had re- 
cently given permission for residence, in reply to 



38 The Women of the Mayflower 

a petition sent in their behalf from Amsterdam, by 
their pastor, John Robinson. 

The English were already well known in Leyden 
and some of this party had been there to rent houses 
and survey the prospect. More than casual glances 
were given these new arrivals, for, though evidently 
poor people and certainly, as yet, unknown, their 
appearance was distinguished even in their plain 
clothes of English fashion, different to the gay ap- 
parel of the natives. 

The accounts of this beginning of their sojourn 
in a new locality are somewhat meagre, nevertheless 
they furnish ground for speculation and conclusions 
not unjustified. Our interest follows the women we 
already know and others whom we are soon to know, 
as they once more endeavor to solve the problems 
of home-keeping with slender resources, their char- 
acteristics of patience and courage again to the test. 
An admonition surely given by their beloved pastor 
must have dwelt in their thoughts to "stand fast 
in one spirit, with one mind striving together . . . 
and in nothing terrified." 

The advantages of living in a prosperous, pro- 
gressive and highly civilized city were not long in 
being realized by these women. Though, at first, 
their homes were in the poorer part of the city, their 
industry and energy supplementing that of the men, 
who soon found plenty of employment in the trades 
of the city, particularly the cloth and silk weaving, 
enabled them to live fairly comfortably. The mar- 
kets of fish and vegetables saw them as daily 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 39 

customers, and even the flower market found them 
as occasional visitors to delight the children as well 
as themselves. The public schools gave to many of 
the children more of an education than their mothers 
had had ; this opportunity for free knowledge, as 
well as the hospitals, homes for the aged, orphan 
asylums, were some of the marvels of this new life. 
Books and pictures were so moderate in price as to 
be available for all. 

The contrasts between the conditions which tend- 
ed towards the benefit and advancement of the plain 
people in their present home and those which were 
only for the benefit of the wealthy and aristocratic 
class in their old home were as easily seen by his 
companions now as they had been by William 
Brewster years before. 

The objects above all the planning for the routine 
of practical life were that they might have food and 
comfort, peace and quiet to worship God. 

They were not without news of England, for their 
community was constantly increased by new arriv- 
als, who, hearing of the success of their venture, 
came to try the experiment themselves; some 
remaining as true friends and burden sharers, oth- 
ers returning. 

Scarcely three years passed before the women 
had the joy of moving into attractive newly built 
cottages on a piece of ground in a very desirable 
location for their needs, bought by several of the 
men for all in common. All were now in good cir- 
cumstances retained by continual labor, however. 



40 The Women of the Mayflower 

The nearness of the famous University was a satis- 
faction to the many intellectual men of the parts^ 
both to enter as students or to read in its library. 

That the content of the men was reflected by the 
women is without doubt, for if the men in a family 
are fairly happy it is easy for the women to be so, 
and, on their own account they had reason to be 
lighthearted. Their cosy little houses were built at 
the sides of the piece of property, the center becom- 
ing a small park or community garden with sanded 
walks, flower bordered. The pastor's house, at one 
end, was the largest and finest, for in it the Sunday 
services and three teaching services or lectures were 
held, as they had been held in the old manor house 
in Scrooby. 

Besides their two indefatigable and honored lead- 
ers, the pastor and William Brewster, now an elder 
in their Church, the community was fortunate in 
having among them the young doctor, a widower, 
whose home was kept by his sister, Anna. Her self- 
reliant, decisive character must have been highly 
sympathetic and congenial to her brother. The life 
of Anna Fuller is one of those most discernable to 
us in that coterie of women, after the lapse of the 
long years. Tactful and clever she was, and a fav- 
orite with all. Between her and Mary Brewster 
there grew a warm attachment. 

A friend to them both and to many others, was 
Katherine Carver (the wife of John Carver, a 
prominent and valued man of their company) whose 
lovely character endeared her to them, but whose 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 41 

chief interest in life was her husband and what con- 
cerned him. 

Ann Tilly and the wife of James Chilton added to 
the group of these young matrons who enjoyed their 
quiet but not altogether uneventful lives in mutual 
sympathy and esteem. We must admire the smooth- 
ness with which they managed their affairs, taking 
into consideration the varying temperaments among 
them ; tact and unselfishness, wisdom and charitable- 
ness must indeed have been taught them by **the 
grave Mistress Experience," and not only among 
themselves was it observable, but also with their 
new, interested and friendly neighbors, the women 
of that Dutch city, through whom they became ac- 
quainted with its manners and customs and to feel 
quite familiar with them. Their children and the 
Dutch children soon became friends and through 
them the mothers of each began their knowledge of 
one another, to their mutual advantage. We know 
the pride of the native women in their city and how 
ready and willing they were to show its sights and 
relate its history to these interested strangers. 

Thus we can easily fancy a party coming along 
Belfry Lane and through other streets on their way 
to visit the Burg, a promised treat to the children 
and desired by their elders. Ann Tilly is taking the 
children of her household — two little cousins and a 
niece — having none of her own, whom she has moth 
ered. Mistress Chilton has with her, her daughter; 
Mary Brewster and her two daughters walk with 
Katherine Carver; Anna Fuller and the Carpenter 



42 The Women of the Maxjflower 

girls — one soon to be her sister-in-law — and one 
or two boys, a lively party, all accompanied by some 
Dutch friends as guides. 

Leyden was at that time full of reminders of the 
war with Spain, its part of it having been the great 
siege. Up on the Burg the country for miles around 
lies before them, and as they look, the story is told 
and they try to picture just where and how the bat- 
tle was fought. Doubtless some old soldier was on 
the Burg, that bright afternoon, living for himself 
again that time of suffering and valor, and glad to 
recount many of the details and describe where had 
been a particular Spanish redoubt, or just where 
such a regiment had been stationed, or the location 
of a General's headquarters. 

We of days far from theirs are yet joined to their 
experiences of that afternoon of our fancy if we 
have chanced on a similar recital from one who had 
participated in another war with Spain in a very 
different country and setting, a war in which the 
descendants of some of these women had a part. 
From the wall of an old Spanish castle near Manila, 
a party of women, one of them the present writer, 
looked over the surrounding plain on an afternoon 
not many years ago, while the then American owner, 
their host, related just such details and anecdotes 
of the Philippine incident in the war with Spain, 
already some years in the past ; there was a battery 
of the United States regulars ; the insurgents came 
in here; a far glimpse of the sunlit harbor showed 
where Dewey's ships lay; and so on. By such a 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 43 

touch does a string on the harp of life sing on 
through the centuries. 

Coming home, they would visit the City Hall, 
•where were then kept many mementos and relics of 
victory upon which they could look with wondering 
earnestness, feeling as we when today viewing ob- 
jects closely connected with the World War, so re- 
cently in our thoughts. 



The blossoms of the lindens fell over the grey wall 
enclosing the old cloister wherein the veiled nuns 
had walked, fell over into another garden and 
around other women of whom the cloistered nuns 
had never heard, and to whom they were but a 
name ; lives in deepest contrast, lived in neighboring 
environment yet divided by a grey stone wall and 
many years. 

At a well by the old wall several young women 
have gathered, some to get water for their household 
use, others to meet them there for a gossip — for 
even in the little colony of English Separatists liv- 
ing so quietly on their own ground, itself almost a 
cloister, in the gay city of Leyden there was, of 
course, gossip in its friendly and sociable meaning. 
But chat between the women only is interrupted, 
and apparently to their amusement, by small boys 
and girls all eagerness at a tale one of their number 
is telling of an exciting event in their school life 
that day; no less than the story of how the Prince's 
ball fell into the canal and he took the boat hook 



44 The Women of the Mayflower 

belonging to an old woman who lived near, never 
thinking she would object, and fished the ball safely 
out. A tale with an apparently happy ending, but 
not so, the old woman mistaking Prince Frederick 
for just an everyday boy scolded him well, and when 
some one called out that it was the Prince who had 
borrowed her boat hook, she was so overcome and 
frightened that she ran in her house and they could 
not coax her out, for she said they would take her 
to prison. 

Smiles fade as a shadow of remembrance crosses 
the minds of some of the listeners at prison expe- 
riences they have known, and perhaps a thought of 
contrast that here, in this democratic land, their 
children have as playmate a prince of the blood, 
while in their own country they might scarcely ever 
have seen one. A few of the young men have wan- 
dered towards the well, since evening is advancing 
and their day's employments are over; here are 
Edward Southworth, William Bradford, Robert 
Cushman, William White, — and, severally, Alice 
Carpenter, Mary Singleton and Anna Fuller mav 
no longer be monopolized by the children, while 
Patience Brewster is glad to hear of her friend in 
Amsterdam, Dorothy May, from William Bradford, 
who visits Elder May rather frequently. 

In fact, news from Amsterdam was quite regu- 
larly brought by visitors as well as by those of their 
own company returning, since seeds of romance 
sown in the early days of their sojourn were bearing 
fruit, and engagements were so frequent that one 



and Women of Phjmouth Colony 45 

was scarcely talked of before another came up for 
consideration. 

Thus it was not surprising to see Samuel Fuller 
leaning across the half door of the Carpenter's cot- 
tage, while Agnes, presumably waiting for Alice to 
return from the well, on the other side of the door, 
smiled at him. Not unlikely that Edward South- 
worth and the doctor will both be asked to supper, 
for the Carpenter household, with five gay, pretty 
girls in it was not a dull one. One of the house- 
holds soonest to break away, however, from the 
present surroundings; after three of his daughters 
married, Alexander Carpenter moved the rest of 
his family to his old home in England. Anna Fuller 
noticing her brother's absorption and knowing from 
rather frequent experience that he may forget about 
the supper she will provide for him, decides on 
spending the evening away from home, herself. To 
her neighbor and special friend, Mary Allerton, she 
will be a gladly welcomed guest — she who, a year 
ago was Mary Norris, and for whom Anna had been 
a witness at her marriage to Isaac Allerton. Sarah, 
Isaac's sister, who lived with them, was good com- 
pany also, and if Degory Priest should happen by, 
as was more than likely, to walk with Sarah to the 
weekly lecture at Pastor Robinson's and if William 
White should come too, still less unlikely, she would 
tell him that — ' ' yes she would marry him, when 
Samuel married Agnes Carpenter and was off her 
hands and mind." 

In this group of pilgrims there were many young 



46 The Women of the Mayflower 

men and girls, therefore many were the love tales 
told under the lindens and marriages frequent 
during their sojourn. 

The Botanical Gardens at Leyden, one of the 
city's proud possessions, must have held the usual 
charm for walks of sweethearts and wives and the 
men of their choice on a Sunday afternoon that 
seems to be evident everywhere there are Gardens, 
in any era and place, from Edinburgh to Hong 
Kong. 

The annual Kermiss also witnessed many visitors 
from among these strangers, and the other holidays 
and sports came in time to be almost as familiar and 
enjoyable as though known in their o\vn country. 

Good health and fairly comfortable living made 
comparatively light hearts, among the younger set 
especially. 

"We are glad to picture these years of their life 
in Leyden when their industry and thrift brought 
them to pleasant days of living, and the cheerfulness 
and peace of their little community attracted visit- 
ors and favorable comments. These days wero 
lighted by hope, a hope that they might through 
some fortunate possibility be able to return to their 
beloved England and live in the unmolested peace 
and independence there which they had found here. 

Prosperity again found Mary Brewster, for her 
husband becoming a much respected teacher of 
languages in the University, was soon able to win 
a comfortable and adequate living for his family, 
and, as always, the Brewsters were ever ready with 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 47 

sympathy and help to those less well off than they; 
indeed one of the chief supports in this thoroughly 
religious body of people was their convention of 
mutual help and friendliness. 

Mary, as well as her husband, was always avail- 
able as the confidant of their neighbors, therefore a 
frequent witness for the young couples who went 
to the State House, according to the custom of the 
country, to declare their intentions of marriage, and 
we feel sure the interest did not stop there, and that 
she and her daughters helped with the simple fes- 
tivities connected with these marriages. A member 
of the University was exempt from tax on home- 
made wines and brew, and as both were common 
beverages at that time, and made in all households, 
her wine and cooking receipts must have been fre- 
quently used. 

While the history of these Pilgrims may be told, 
and has been, with casual if any reference to the 
women, the story of the women must hinge on 
reference to the whole Pilgrim story. Looking at 
them from our position, down the long vista, seeing 
the background of which they were hardly conscious, 
the foreground invisible to them, their reality and 
aliveness should be vividly lighted by all the colors 
of romance which only distance may give and we 
should be able to get the feeling that things had for 
them, at least. A few plain, loyal, trustful women 
living their daily lives with no dream of a place in 
history, yet on whom else may we look entitled to a 
softer, more caressing glow from the flame of fame? 



48 The Women of the Mayflower 

Julianiia Carpenter, the eldest sister, married 
George Morton, before the lindens bloomed again, 
followed soon by the marriages of Agnes to the wise 
and popular young doctor, the doctor's sister to 
William White, as she had said, and the lively young 
widow, Sarah, sister of Isaac Allerton, to Degory 
Priest. Their mutual satisfaction and happiness 
was punctured by the shock of the sudden death 
of one of their number, Agnes Fuller; the whole 
community was stirred by the fact that so unexpect- 
edly, the doctor was again a widower. Thus their 
recurring measure of joy and sorrow, pleasure and 
trouble, success and endeavor. 

We may well hope that, in the fullness of time, 
our days may be looked upon with the same search- 
light of sympathy and understanding which we turn 
upon theirs. 

Another year more wedded couples were added 
to the list — it was a sign of their hopefulness that 
marriage among them was encouraged and the re- 
marriage of the widowed favored. Alice Carpenter 
married Edward Southworth and William Bradford 
brought his bride from Amsterdam, Dorothy May. 
It was in the late autumn that she came to 
Leyden to renew some childhood's friendships. The 
marriage of another friend of Alice South- 
worth occurred at a slightly later date when 
Robert Cushman married Mary Singleton. So 
these 3'ounger and important men of the settlement 
took on new responsibilities, and after a while Dr. 
Fuller tried a third time and found with Bridget 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 49 

Lee a more permanent happiness in matrimony. 

The very little girls, as the years passed, were 
replaced by others, while they grew into the places 
of maidenhood left vacant by the younger matrons. 
Thus Mary Chilton, Bridget Robinson, Priscilla 
Mullins, Patience and Fear Brewster, Desire Minter, 
Humility Cooper, formed a lively group in which 
Elizabeth Tilly and Mercy Robinson claimed 
membership though somewhat younger. 

The famous storks of Holland were good enough 
to bring many rosy babies to the little homes of 
this English colony, so the joy and amusement of 
babyhood was never lacking. 

Into this little world a passing traveller entered, 
a young man of some wealth and position in Eng- 
land, who having heard of the community, thought 
to look upon it as of transient interest, and desiring 
to meet William Brewster, John Robinson and 
others whose writings printed by their own estab- 
lished press were attracting attention. In truth 
he was more interested in the printing press than 
the writings, being reputed himself a printer, and 
as a worker in one art or trade or profession desires 
to see the results or products of another in that 
same class, Edward Winslow entered the life of the 
Brewsters, the Robinsons, the Allertons, the Brad- 
fords, but most particularly into the life of Eliza- 
beth Barker, and since it was her world it became 
his, too, henceforth. Almost the last romance of 
these peaceful years witnessed by the lindens and 
the old grey wall. 



50 The Women of the Mayflower 

Soon thereafter a rift became apparent in the 
harmony of existence in the garden colony and it 
was Mary Brewster who heard it first. Again sh^ 
experienced the haunting anxiety on her husband's 
account, which she well knew of old, and from the 
same source — persecution by the royal authorities 
in England and their representatives in Holland. 
The cause was the printing press and the sentiments 
it set forth. The hunt for the unknown though 
suspected printer at that time is an entertaining 
story told by various chroniclers of the history of 
these people and reminds one of the somewhat 
similar search for the hidden printer of our modern 
times who issued the prescribed little Belgian news- 
paper during the occupation of that country by the 
Germans. 

Suddenly in addition to this personal touch of 
unrest came a focus in the national affairs of their 
adopted country, which centered in Leyden, and 
while of great interest to them, as such matters have 
been, and are, to us, are always bound to increase 
uncertainty and instability of daily concerns. 

The scope of the present work is not to dwell on 
the general events of history, but only as their 
effects touched the lives of the women of our story. 
Gradually it had come to be recognized, also, that 
the younger generation among them was fast be- 
coming more Dutch than English, as was natural 
from environment. And since their object had 
never been other than to remain English people and 
to send the enlightening word of their religious 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 51 

freedom and churcli's independence back to their 
own people, now that the advantage of their print- 
ing press was about to be denied them this advance- 
ment was at an end. 

These subjects for reflection and others equally' 
compelling brought them to a point in their destiny 
for which Providence in the preceding years had 
been preparing them by the variation of their expe- 
rience, the widening of their horizons, the increasing 
knowledge of humanity and capacity for labor and 
economy which came as assets of their exile from 
home in a land of comparative freedom. 

The women had as much opportunity for facing 
these questions and facts and discussing them among 
themselves as the men, and the possibility of giving 
up all that they had won for the sake of their 
faith and ideals loomed as evident before them as 
to those upon whom they not only depended but 
supported by their love and loyalty. 

Thus prior to the all-important conference called 
at Pastor Robinson's house, many of them had set 
to withdraw their thoughts from the comparative 
ease and prosperity of the past ten years, and drill 
their minds to becoming again way-farers and 
makers of new homes elsewhere. Where else, in- 
deed? Many suggestions were made before the 
answer was determined. When it became definitely 
known to the city authorities that these peaceful, 
industrious and altogether desirable inhabitants 
were thinking of severing their connection with 
them, they announced their regret publicly in 



52 The ^Yonlen of the Mayflower 

complimentary terms. Also an offer was made that 
these would-be pioneers continue under the flag of 
the Netherlands as colonists. But it was their own 
flag, their own nationality for which they were about 
to sacrifice much and for which they stood ready 
to endure more in the future. 

At the assembly at John Robinson's house where 
the congregation met for final decision, it was re- 
solved that if the vote showed a majority in favor 
of remaining a while longer, the Pastor should 
remain with them, and for those who wished to 
emigrate immediately, William Brewster, their 
Elder, should be their spiritual leader, while await- 
ing the coming of the rest. 

In regard to this vote, one writer has said, "It 
cannot be known whether or not the women of the 
church had a vote in the matter. Presumably they 
did not, for the primitive church gave good heed 
to the words of Paul, 'Let your women keep silence 
in the churches.' Neither can it be known — if 
they had a voice — whether the wives and daugh- 
ters of some of the embarking Pilgrims, who did not 
go themselves at this time, voted with their husbands 
and fathers for removal." If this exactness is lack- 
ing, we may feel a certain knowledge that each 
Avoman was aware of how the vote which affected 
her and hers would be cast. One is somehow re- 
minded of the old story, though of modern times, 
of a certain pastor receiving a call to a larger field 
of usefulness who retired to seek Divine guidance. 
During this time a member of the congregation 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 53 

called for information on the subject. The pastor's 
little daughter received the visitor, and in reply to 
the important question said, ' ' I can 't say exactly — 
Father is praying but Mother is packing." 

During the time between the actual decision and 
final satisfactory arrangements for departure — we 
can fancy the women's days being particularly 
trying. Breaking up homes — deciding what would 
be needed most in the unknown land and in the 
restricted space alloted to each one's belongings 
on a small ship. Cooking and table utensils were 
commonly of pewter and wood — so anxiety of 
modern movings regarding breakage was lessened — 
books, clothing and furniture required the same 
attention as we experience in packing. And looking- 
glasses ! Mrs. Robinson 's sister, Jane White, had 
married soon after their arrival in Leyden, Ran- 
dolph Tickens, a manufacturer of looking-glasses, 
so although the Tickens family were not to go among 
the first, a looking-glass or two were certainly to be 
found space for. If they were such as the mirror 
of Mary, Queen of Scots, though of earlier make, 
and shown to visitors in Holyrood Castle, they were 
not very desirable or useful, giving but a hazy 
reflection of any one's good looks — but they may 
have been satisfactory when new. 

The day before the breaking up of the community 
came at last, as all days do, though seemingly far 
off when first recognized as approaching. That 
evening was spent by all, at the Pastor's house, at 
supper and with music. If verging on tragedy to 



54 The Women of the Mayflower 

us, as on-lookers, what must it have been for them? 

The barges are moored at the quay — near the 
Nuns Bridge — were any of their thoughts flung 
back, as ours are, to the day of their arrival at Ley- 
den eleven years before? This party is large, as 
many who would return, for a time, are going with 
the others to see them depart. Some have already 
gone and are in England making final arrangements 
— so Mary Brewster, Katherine Carver, and Mary 
Cushman are without their husbands at present — 
though the sons of the Brewster and Cushman 
families are at their mother's side — while Kather- 
ine Carver has the unfailing attention of the tall, 
strong, young man, devoted to her husband's inter- 
ests, John Howland. 

Anna Fuller White (since her marriage called 
more often by her full name, Susanna), has her 
husband and little son. Resolved, a fitting name for 
the first born of this woman. Her brother, the 
doctor, is of the emigrating party, (with a young 
assistant), but his wife and baby will stay behind. 
The children of some are to go with them, while 
those of others will remain with relatives — thus the 
little son of Dorothy and William Bradford has 
gone to his grand-parents at his mother's old home 
in Amsterdam. The sadness in the eyes of some of 
the women as they look back at the fair and beauti- 
ful city, which has sheltered them so kindly, is 
formed of regret that all may not remain together 
in this departure, as well as a sigh for the happy 
years now gone. 



THE FIRE OF FAITH. 




The cradle that was brought acrosa the 

sea for the first New England baby. 
May be seen in Pilgrim Hall, Pliinouth. 



THE FIRE OF FAITH. 

As ONE GOES along the road of remembrance, some 
readers as well as the writer may see before them 
the outlines of a ship at the wharf of, perhaps, an 
unfamiliar city, towards which they have travelled 
after careful planning and arrangements for a 
voyage which is, after all, to carry them towards 
the unknown — . Just so, and with the same feel- 
ings the eyes of the women passengers on the canal 
boats from Leyden, looked upon the form of the 
"Speedwell", the little ship on which their thoughts 
and plans had for some time focused, now appearing 
before them with all the suddenness of reality and 
accomplished effort. Those whose former knowledge 
of ships had been far from pleasant, saw it with 
bravely stiffened reluctance or repugnance, while 
the younger were in contrast as eager to experience 
this new thing. 

Some of the girls, whose memories, real or 
imagined, could stretch back to their coming from 
England, almost as babies, were in great favor and 
admiration with those whose life and experience had 
been only in Holland. So Bartholomew Allerton 
and his little sisters, Resolved White, John Cooke, 
Samuel Fuller (nephew and namesake of the doctor), 
relied on the good nature that would reply to their 
numerous questionings of Humility Cooper, Desire 



58 The Women of the Mayfiower 

Minter, Mary Chilton, Elizabeth Tilly and Priscilla 
Mullins, for the older boys were too interested and 
too busy in the matters of moving the baggage and 
the preparations on the ship to give attention to 
those who had no higher travelling lineage than a 
canal boat. 

It was evening when they arrived at Delfshaven 
and their ship could not sail until morning. That 
July night was too full of excitement and emotion 
for ordinary rest, even for many of the inhabitants 
of the town, who were drawn to the wharves by 
curiosity and interest to see this decidedly unusual 
party who were to sail from their port. 

Though their old tower had seen the sailing of 
many a ship and the farewells of countless friends 
in its centuries of guardianship of the little city, no 
scene had ever been quite like this, and curiosity 
turned quickly to sympathy. 

Friends came also from Amsterdam to see them 
sail, so that an animated picture filled the evening 
and morning hours. The fatigue of the women was 
forgotten or disguised in the sad enjoyment of these 
last hours with the members of their families who 
were not to go with them. 

Fear and Patience Brewster see naught else but 
their mother's face, filled with its well-known love, 
sympathy and energy, as she made one more effort 
at self-sacrifice and endurance for her husband's 
sake, choosing to go with him and two of her boys 
who would need her more in the new life than the 
two daughters, left to the protection of their oldest 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 59 

brother and the care of the Robinsons and other 
loyal friends in the safety and comfort of their 
Leyden home, cheering them and others with the 
prospects of a speedy reunion. Hope and courage 
gilded these prospects at the time. Sarah Priest, 
who is to have the care of little Sarah Allerton, her 
namesake niece, has her husband to part from, as 
well as her brother and his gentle wife. The doctor's 
wife has a similar farewell to make to her husband, 
though her sister-in-law goes with her family — 
husband and son — and the wife of Edward Fuller 
goes with him and their son. Susanna "White having 
all with her whom she holds most dear (her brothers, 
her husband and little boy) may be looked upon as 
one of the most fortunate of the company; it is the 
friends of Anna Fuller (as she still seems to them) 
who remain behind, who shall have heavier thoughts 
at parting than Susanna White, though her cheer- 
fulness and kindness are not wanting. 

Other women who are happy in having their 
families with them are Mrs. Chilton and her sweet 
daughter, Mary, who has ever a special attendant 
in the person of one of Edward Winslow's brothers 
(two of whom had joined him in his life at Leyden 
and preparations for this adventure), so her valua- 
ble bundles of baggage are well looked after in their 
transportation into the ship. 

All is well too, in the heart of Elizabeth Tilly, 
whose father is more than half her world, and next 
in it, the object of her girlish admiration. Desire 
Minter — the ward of lovely Mrs. Carver. Her step- 



60 The Women of the Mayflower 

mother and uncle's family are all part of the out- 
going company also, so her spirits may be light 
enough to amuse the children — herself but little 
past the boundaries of their land — Elizabeth Tilly 
with sparkling eyes and wind-blown hair, as we see 
her then, child of mystery and of argument after 
centuries have gone. Doubtless any or all of the 
older members of that company could have answered 
a question that still burns for some of us — who was 
her mother? Why the airy tradition floating down 
the years that she was grand-daughter of John 
Carver? As much, that, at one time, seemed un- 
fathomable, has come to light regarding these people, 
this question may one day be definitely answered. 

Katherine Carver and Elizabeth Winslow, feeling 
that since their husbands believed in this venture, 
and since they could make new and comfortable 
homes for them anywhere, all was well, are anxious 
to be off, especially as the former had for some 
time been separated from her husband, and looked 
forward to seeing him soon, at Southampton, where 
he was to meet their ship. Also the wife of Captain 
Standish, who had joined this expedition, thought 
that any undertaking with which her martial hus- 
band connected himself was right, and so long as she 
could be with him in any part of the world, happi- 
ness would be hers. These three women, having only 
their husbands to think of, are naturally drawn 
together, and each can appreciate the beauty and 
charm of the others, being eciually lovely herself. 

Like Mary Chilton and her mother, Priscilla 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 61 

MuUins and her's are happy in the thought that 
they are not to be separated from one another nor 
from the men of their family. 

Among the friends of all these women accompany- 
ing them from Leyden, for the sweet sorrow of part- 
ing, is Juliana Morton, sole representative of the 
Carpenter family, whose daughters had been gay 
companions with them all, in past days. Juliana 
and her husband and family alone remained in Ley- 
den, to this date, and for a time thereafter. The 
parents and the two younger sisters, Mary and 
Priscilla, returned to their old home in England ; 
Agnes Fuller slept under the shadow of St. Peter's 
church and Alice Southworth with her husband and 
two boys were at this time living in London — busi- 
ness affairs of Edward Southworth having shortened 
their stay in Leyden. They, however, were thorough- 
ly in touch with the plans of their old friends, and 
knew of the difficulties with which they had con- 
tended. They also knew of the preparations being 
made for another ship with passengers, some of them 
strangers, some friends, to sail from London to meet 
the ship from Delfshaven, at Southampton, and to- 
gether cross the ocean. Like others of the original 
company their affairs did not admit of themselves 
being voyagers at this time. 

Sarah Fletcher and Hester Cooke are two others 
whose hearts we feel are heavy, as their husbands 
are to precede them to a new country, and they must 
remain with all the others who will await the first 
opportunity to follow. 



62 The Women of the Mayflower 

The tide has come in, the wind is fair. Now ^aily 
clad sailors are getting up anchor on the little ship, 
filled with those whose trust is in her. All ashore 
for those not going — the last, the very last farewells 
must be said. Their beloved pastor once more leads 
them all in prayer, his entire flock about him for the 
last time. And so they ''took their leave one of 
another; which proved to be the last leave to many 
of them." 

The ship moves out from the wharf, the wind 
shakes the flag — their English flag — above them, 
token of their regained nationality. A volly of shot 
from shore and three guns fired from the ship echo 
over the watchers waving to each other as long as 
individuals may be distinguished, and longer. How 
eagerly the imagination pictures the scene. The 
Speedwell on that fair summer morning, sails into 
the unseen fog of disappointment and failure that 
shall prove her name a sad mistake. But for all on 
board of her "the fire of their faith lights the sea 
and the shore." 

So they leave forever, Holland, that refuge which 
for twelve years had sheltered them, that school 
wherein they have been shaped and prepared for the 
great enterprise before them. Their own country's 
flag above them, their own little vessel to carry them 
once more to England, if only for a farewell. Thus 
the spirits of sadness and expectation attend them 
and of gratitude and hope. 

The summer breezes blowing from England's 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 63 

shores came out to meet the little ship and caressed 
the hair and cheeks of that group of England's 
daughters who stood, drawing their long cloaks 
about them, on the deck of the Speedwell as it 
entered Southampton water. Once more, as so often 
in their dreams these past years, they behold their 
native- land. An interlude of vision. Only two of 
them will ever return ; for the rest it will remain 
a dream, a memory — for ' ' Memory draws from de- 
light ere it dies an essence that breathes of it many 
a year." 

An animated day this proves to be, with greetings 
from old friends and new acquaintances who have 
come in the ship from London to join them. The ship ! 
They view it riding at anchor. Of its name or 
history few of them care. Yet what other ship has 
held more truly the form of fate for its passengers 
and of epoch for the world! But they could not 
know and it seemed then only their guide to cross 
the sea, their means of accomplishing the only way 
out of their difficulties. 

A company of shrewd business men, as profiteer- 
ing a syndicate as ever crushed the individual, had 
happened on this ship at the time they needed one 
of its size and accommodations for the enterprise 
they were planning to undertake in sending a home- 
less, well-nigh friendless, but dauntless company of 
men and women to colonize in America, chiefly on 
the money of these same people but supplemented 
by some of their own, and many directions, condi- 
tions and restrictions for their endeavors to which 



64 The Women of the Mayflower 

they had reluctantly to agree. King nor country 
cared, the merchants, their nominal backers, cared 
less than nothing for the personal success or good 
fortune of these voyagers, except only where ad- 
vancement of their own selfish interests or claims 
for territorial advantage accrued and might be re- 
turned. 

These two boat loads of pioneers regarded thus 
with indifference, may be viewed for a moment in 
contrast to that subsequent fleet of English ships 
carrying English passengers on whom all England 
from Crown to Commons looked with interest and 
in whom hope and pride were centered — the ships 
bearing colonists under the leadership of John 
Winthrop, to the same shores, ten years later, 
saluted by royal guns as they sailed away as voy- 
agers whose adventure would reflect honor and 
renown to the kingdom, whose loss would be a 
disaster to the nation, while if either or both of these 
two unimportant ships with all on board had sunk 
at sea, as so nearly happened, the incident would not 
have seemed worth recording for a paragraph of 
history by the country, who treated these loving 
children with contempt and disdain. Nevertheless 
these brave pilgrims prepared the way for all others 
who later sought homes on the far shores of their 
intent and gave them aid and comfort by personal 
contact as well as by their example of unfaltering 
purpose. For their recompense to the merchants 
commercially interested in their adventure, the ac- 
count shows them more than over-paid, at length. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 65 

For their advantage to the country they left for- 
ever, since it did not understand them and did not 
want them, in long, long years from that day, 
perhaps the arrival of the first contingent of Ameri- 
can destroyers in British waters, in the spring of 
1917, to give a certain aid and comfort to England, 
may be accounted a return. 

But thoughts like these were not in their minds 
as they are in ours. The ship from London, by 
name, Mayflower, was before them — an actuality, 
while for us it is a vision. 

This vessel was twice the size of the little Speed- 
well and bore a popular and one of the oldest names 
for British ships. A predecessor of the name had in 
1415 borne the flower of knighthood to France, to 
fight at Agincourt. Another had been flagship of 
the Duke of Gloucester. This Mayflower had already 
a noteworthy career, the equal, of any, as a warship. 
She had been a member of Queen Elizabeth's fleet, 
contributed to it by a city guild, and took a brilliant 
and prominent part in the fights of the Spanish 
Armada to the final, desperate and victorious one. 
Nevertheless in spite of this, her name would not 
have gilded a page in history, but on the day she 
sailed from London for Southampton, equipped for 
a long voyage across the sea, destiny began to weave 
for her the wreath of fame. Not a large ship — 120 
or more tons — and about 82 feet long, but what 
other is greater? Which more inspiring to poets 
and artists? The true and accepted model of the 
Mayflower is on exhibition at the National Museum 



66 The Women of the Mayflower 

in Washington, this was made by Capt. J. W. Col- 
lins, an expert in naval architecture, by order of the 
United States Government. 

At Southampton the companies of each ship 
mingled on shore and on shipboard while the vessels 
were being made readj- for departure. The allot- 
ments to the respective ships, the designation of 
quarters in the ships, were necessarily made chiefly 
with regard to the needs and comfort of the women 
and children. The number of each was increased by 
the wife and family of Stephen Hopkins and of John 
Billington, also by four children named More. 
These children, three boys and a girl, were protegees 
of Mr. Weston, one of the merchants interested, and, 
having no apparent connection with any one of the 
company ; just what reason he had for sending them 
on this voyage seems likely to remain an unanswered 
question. The loving natures of Mary Brewster, 
Katherine Carver and Elizabeth Winslow accepted 
them as their special charges, and Jasper was there- 
after considered with the numerous and varied 
family of the Carvers, Ellen, with the Winslows, 
while Richard and his other brother, increased the 
Brewster's number of boys. For only a short time 
were these children to know these new and kind 
friends. Another unexpected addition to their 
numbers was in the person of the young man of 
Southampton, John Alden by name, who joined their 
company, as cooper, for the sake of the voyage and 
adventure — but who remained as one of them for 
the sake of the love and admiration he gained for 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 67 

some in particular. Their business affairs being 
concluded, the Speedwell and Mayflower sailed from 
the harbor, but soon the Speedwell was found in a 
dangerous condition from leaks, — though she had 
been thoroughly overhauled after her trip from 
Holland. It was decided to put into the nearby port 
of Dartmouth, where a stay was made of ten days, 
at much cost to the pilgrims both in time and 
money. However, after this set-back, the ships 
sailed again and all had hopes of comfortable prog- 
ress. Land's End was behind them about a hundred 
leagues on the 23rd of August, when the Captain of 
the Speedwell again proclaimed that disaster to his 
ship was imminent. There was nothing else to do 
but turn both ships back to the nearest port. 
Plymouth welcomed them and kind-hearted people 
there tried to comfort and cheer the disappointed 
passengers. For some, these several returns to Eng- 
land began to affect their spirits as a portent or 
warning, but to others they but served to make 
stronger the desire to carry out their plans, in spite 
of discouragement, in spite of the charm of Eng- 
land's summer days beside the sea, in spite of the 
bright and friendly town through whose massive 
gateways they had to pass to visit the busy streets 
and get their last glimpses of gay shops — sights 
which they realized they would never again see when 
they had emigrated to the new and lonely land. 
This acid test lasted fourteen days. 

About this time, in their house in Dukes's place, 
Edward and Alice Southworth received a letter 



68 The Women of the Mayflower 

written by Robert Cushman, while at Dartmouth, 
relating the unpleasant events that had transpired. 
Their sympathies were doubtless awakened, but even 
more their surprise, when, not long after, Robert 
and Mary Cushman and their son, returned to Lon- 
don; they and a number of others both from choice 
and necessity had left the company at Plymouth 
when it was finally decided to abandon the thought 
of the Speedwell making the voyage and that the 
Mayflower would go on alone. 

Such of the passengers who had come from Leyden 
and who were to continue their voyage, were trans- 
ferred with their effects to the other ship, and in this 
unexpected turn of their affairs, all had to make 
themselves as comfortable as possible. Disappoint- 
ment and the discouraging delay could not have lent 
much enthusiasm to the re-arranging of themselves 
and their family belongings, especially in such 
crowded quarters as now became necessary. Finally, 
all being adjusted, the Speedivell sailed for London 
and the Mayflower for her long voyage. 

Compactness could never have had a more effec- 
tive demonstration, when one considers what actual- 
ly was required by these colonists in the way of 
equipment, the number of people and the size of 
the ship. Though the Leyden contingent had brought 
little more than personal belongings, and as few as 
possible, the Speedwell had little spare space, while 
on board the Mayflower when she sailed from London 
were not only the passengers and their accessories, 
but supplies for the enterprise as a whole — other 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 69 

necessaries being added at Southampton — also the 
regular ship's supplies for the vessel and crew for 
a long voyage and return. 

Let us glance at a list of articles which we know 
were part of the load : building materials for houses 
and boats, clothing materials, beds and bedding, 
rugs,- spinning-wheels, chairs, chests, cradles, cook- 
ing utensils, carpentering tools, books, weapons, 
gunpowder and shot, cannon, garden and farm im- 
plements, seeds and plants, medicines, trinkets for 
trading with the Indians, goats, chickens, pigs, 
pigeons, dogs, beer and butter, food for the animals, 
dried and salted foods for the people. And some of 
these things we may see this day, as they have been 
seen on any day of these three hundred years since 
they were shipped on the Mayflower. 

We have heard careless or would-be witty remarks 
as to the countless china tea pots, which came in the 
Mayflower and are in every state in the Union, or 
household furnishings which would supply largely 
populated cities by the number claimed as authentic. 
Such amusing remarks cause a smile indeed, not 
however, from the cause the sarcastic authors as- 
sume, but from the ignorance or exaggeration will- 
ingly or unconsciously evinced. The known freight 
the Mayflower carried was a ship load and no more 
— and some of it remains to the present hour. 
China tea pots, or even one, never was part of her 
invoice; tea and coffee were not then known as 
beverages to these people, nor in their world ; what 
a solace and comfort therefore was missing for the 



70 The Women of the Mayflower 

women of the voyage — for at sea, how seemingly 
indispensable are these important factors of present 
day life. 

The women of the Mayflower — let us look at 
them now, since all who ever may be called by that 
name are together on the ship, and fair days and 
moonlight nights give possible encouragement to 
them as the voyage opens. We see the forms of those 
we have known in England and Leyden, heretofore, 
some more familiar to us than others, but we are 
interested in all, however slight our acquaintance; 
and their new companions, lately from London, 
claim our attention likewise. Among these latter 
we note Mrs. Stephen Hopkins as an addition of 
great advantage; her vigor of mind and body, her 
decidedly wholesome and attractive personality 
wins regard from all. Her own little daughter, 
Damaris, and her step-daughter, Constantia, added 
one each to the quota of childhood and girlhood on 
board. Against the name of Elizabeth Hopkins, as 
against the names of two others of the matrons of 
this passenger list, (Mary Brewster and Susanna 
White) destiny set a shining mark. 

Mrs. John Carver has her maid and her young 
ward. Desire Minter, also the frequent company of 
her dear friends, Mrs. Myles Standish and Mrs. Ed- 
ward Winslow. It needed not for John Carver to 
be one of the leading men of this company, nor for 
him and his wife to have more of worldly goods than 
many, for Katherine Carver to have the love and ad- 
miration of all who knew her. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 71 

Quite a stranger to all is Mrs. Christopher Martin, 
and scarcely known during her brief stay among 
them ; she and her husband were among the pas- 
sengers from London. 

Two pairs of mothers and daughters, — Mrs. 
Chilton and Mary, Mrs. Mullins and Priscilla — 
engage our attention, as Cupid's entanglements are 
even in this serious adventure, since Mary has lost 
an admirer and Priscilla gained one. There was not 
room for both of Edward Winslow's brothers on 
the larger ship, when the Speedwell failed their 
hopes, so John had to seek the new world and his 
winsome Mary, at a later day. John Alden, the 
young cooper, engaged for the voyage at Southamp- 
ton, has already met his fate in acquaintance with 
the buoyant Priscilla. The names of these two sweet 
maids of the Mayflower, (soon to become sorrow- 
touched women of the new colony) ripple as music 
through poetry and romance, or staid fact and his- 
tory to our imagination. 

Here is a group whom we know far less well ; Mrs. 
Thomas Tinker, Mrs. John Kigdale, Mrs. Francis 
Eaton, yet we feel sure their qualities of mind and 
heart must be the equal of many of their compan- 
ions. 

Here are the sisters-in-law, wives of John and 
Edward Tilly, each with a young girl to mother — 
not her own — for Humility Cooper is cousin to 
Ann Tilly, and Elizabeth is a step-child to John 
Tilly's wife. 

Mrs. Edward Fuller, sister-in-law of the doctor 



72 The Women of the Mayflower 

and Anna White, is one of those sailing for another 
haven than some of the others, though knowing it 
not. 

From London has come Mrs. John Billington, so 
different in style and manner from her women com- 
panions as to be quite noticeable, yet not lacking 
in desirable qualities to say the least; and little 
Ellen More, now in Mrs. Winslow's care. 

Mrs. William Bradford — standing in the shadow 
of tragedy — and Mrs. Isaac AUerton with her two 
little girls, Remember and Mary, complete the 
count. Mary Allerton's namesake daughter stands 
nearest to us, of all that company, between that day 
and this. 

"How slow yon tiny vessel plows the main! 
Amid the heavy billows now she seems 
A toiling atom — then from wave to wave 
Leaps madly, by the tempest lashed, — or reels, 
Half wrecked, through gulfs profound. 
Moons wax and wane. 
But still that lonely traveller treads the deep. ' ' 

What words can better picture the Mayflower at 
sea than these of Mrs. Sigourney? The monotony, 
the discomfort, the terrors day after day. Since the 
waning of the September moon, under which the 
voyage began, the weather had become cold and 
stormy ; the sea dangerous — whose roughness af 
fected many and made the labors and duties of those 
able to withstand it, increase. 

The ship's cook was of slight service to the pas- 
sengers, since his work was for the benefit of the 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 73 

officers and crew only, therefore the preparing of 
their meals fell to the different individuals whose 
health and abilities so enabled them. With slight 
cooking facilities, it was necessary to rely chiefly 
upon such fare as did not require to be prepared by 
fire; gin and brandy were relied upon for warmth, 
and. beer a tonic. 

To this tossing ship, on one of these stormy days, 
there comes a stranger, promptly and appropriately 
called Oceanus, and the Hopkins family becomes one 
of especial interest, with its new baby for all the 
women and children to delight in. 

Another day's excitement is provided by one of 
the young men, who chafing under the restraint of 
staying below decks, imposed by the storm, ventures 
above and is no sooner out than over the side of the 
ship, in the grip of a wave. His presence of mind 
to grasp a rope, which trailed from the rigging in 
the water and his grit in holding on, making his 
rescue possible by the sailors, make a topic of con- 
versation with sufficient thrill. One wonders if John 
Howland became invested with a new interest for 
Elizabeth Tilly from that day, or the few subse- 
quent ones, when the great, hearty fellow was some- 
what the worse for his adventure. 

The shock of death enters when a particularly 
rough sailor, who had terrorized the women and 
children and annoyed the men by his language and 
manners, is stricken suddenly, buried at sea, and 
so one of their trials is removed. 

The storm increases and all doubt not that their 



74 The Women of the Mayflower 

end is approaching, since the ship is giving "way, but 
this crisis passes, by the energies of the captain and 
crew and the aid of an iron screw, or jack, which 
was brought by a passenger from Leyden. That 
screw was the instrument which saved the May- 
flower, and we know not the owner — whose name 
seems of more interest to us than it did to them to 
whom the screw was the thing. 

Another day brings a blow to Doctor Fuller and 
to all, since one of their own company is summoned 
by death, the young assistant to the doctor, William 
Button. Many begin to show the effects of the 
dreary weeks on the ship and look worn, weary and 
ill. 

At last, at last, in a November dawn, land is in 
sight! A day spent in running southward looking 
for a favorable harbor, but none appearing, they 
turn about and return to the point of land first 
seen, and by nightfall are safely riding at anchor. 

With the episode immediately following, the 
women had no actual connection, yet to some we 
know it was of interest, as their husbands signed 
the document drawn up in the cabin, and because 
of it Katherine Carver was made the "first lady" 
of the little group of friends, since her husband was 
then duly elected governor of this colonial company. 
More love, more respect, they could not give her as 
their governor's wife than they had always given 
her as just one of themselves — tested and trained 
as all had been together in the years of friendship 
amid all the shades of mutual experience. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 75 

The next day new life and animation was evident 
among all on board the Mayflower. Hope flung 
aside the grey veils that had almost enveloped her 
for many weeks and stood in the radiant garment:^ 
of expectancy — they would not recognize the 
vagueness, the emptiness of her background. They 
had been brought across the sea in safety — they 
were about to disembark on the solid ground of 
their new country. Ambition stirred the weakest to 
prove the wisdom of their choice. 

In the cabin of the Mayflower, next day, their 
Elder led them in prayer and hymns of thankful- 
ness. Around were those who had listened to him 
in the old hall at Scrooby Manor, and others who, 
since then, had made his way their way through life. 
We may easily picture, again, Mary, his devoted 
wife, seated in the old chair (which, at least, we 
may see actually ) , her gentle, anxious face silhouetted 
against the grim old cabin walls of the Mayflower, 
as lovely to her friends who looked at her that day, 
as when its fairness had as a background her old 
home in the stately manor in England. All who 
were able were at this service, on what, for them, 
was Expectation Sunday, (though some were too 
weak and ill to leave their berths), and afterwards, 
walked on the decks looking at the new, mysterious 
land before them — recognizing various familiar 
trees, growing almost to the water's edge, and ac- 
cepting the attention of the surprised but welcoming 
sea-gulls. The little pool, across a stretch of nearby 
beach, partly surrounded by juniper trees, attracted 



76 The Women of the Mayflower 

the eyes of the women with delight at prospect, if 
tomorrow was fair, for a grand and general wash 
day, with plenty of water, instead of the restricted 
supply that had had to suffice them for more than 
a hundred days' effort at cleanliness. 

The cold, foggy morning of the 23rd of November 
witnessed much energy among the company on the 
ship, riding at anchor in its lonely harbor. Small 
boats brought many of the women ashore with ket- 
tles and big bundles, — the first time that they set 
foot on the soil of their new country — and Monday 
wash day was established. The men who were not 
employed repairing the small boat, or shallop, which 
had been stored in the hold of the Mayflower, and 
which they wished to use for exploration as soon as 
possible, cut the fragrant cedars or junipers about 
the pool, made cheerful, pungent fires, and swung 
the kettles for the boiling water. Some, no doubt, 
looked on it as quite a picnic, with lunch served by 
the fire, and the whole thing a change from the life 
of the past weeks. 

The dusk saw the footprints of many English 
women marking for the first time that sea-washed 
shore, and the ashes of the first fires of civilized life, 
(with women as an important half of that life), 
mingling with the sands. The women went ''home" 
to the ship, with contentment in their minds, but 
wet, cold and tired. Small wonder that colds be- 
came evident next day — with little vitality left to 
resist them. Misery had plenty of company. 

Another day and the anxious wives whose hus- 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 77 

bands made up the first exploring party watched 
them row away in the ship's long boat, land and 
march along the shore, out of sight, under the 
watchful lead of Captain Myles Standish. 

Through the two days and nights of their absence, 
knowing not what dangers or disasters might befall 
them, we can never doubt that the secret prayers of 
Rose Standish unceasingly appealed for the safe 
return of her husband and the husbands of the other 
women, her dear friends, for whom he was respon- 
sible. And not her's only we know were answered, 
when, on the third morning, the welcome sound of 
guns from shore, signaling the long boat, relieved 
the tension on the ship. What rejoicing, interest 
and even amusement was the result of their safe 
arrival, with curious trophies of their first land jour- 
ney and descriptions of what they had seen and 
done. 

After a few days, their own shallop being repaired, 
another and larger party went away for discovery. 
Another safe return and tales of interest followed 
this. And news of importance awaited them, also 
— for they found the White family rejoicing in the 
arrival of a son and brother; Dr. Fuller and Mr. 
and Mrs. Edward Fuller in a new nephew, and Sam- 
uel in a cousin, in the little Pilgrim. Probably 
Oceanus Hopkins looked at his future playmate with 
interest, not unmixed with surprise that he was no 
longer the new baby of the Mayflower. 

Before the next attempt to find the place most 
desirable for their permanent location, another 



78 The Women of the Mayflower 

event, far less cheerful, drew attention to the Whites. 
A young man in their employ, Edward Thompson, 
died, and thus became the first of the Mayflower 
passengers to be buried in American soil. 

The following day, one of the Billington boys in 
search of diversion, finding a loaded gun in the 
cabin and a barrel of gunpowder, promptly shot it 
off then and there; his pleasure was short-lived, but 
those who were ill or much startled by the noise, 
probably did not care what happened to him. The 
jeopardy in which he placed the ship and every soul 
on board was doubtless beyond his comprehension. 
The restlessness of the small boys in those cramped 
quarters was one of the trials the mothers had to 
bear. Our sympathy is for both. 

On the 16th of December, reckoning by the calen- 
dar as we know it, the third and, as it proved to be, 
the final and successful attempt at finding the place 
for their settlement was made. But while much hap- 
pened to the exploring party, in the seven days of 
its absence, and while the thoughts of those left on 
the ship followed them, at all times, hearts were 
heaviest there, and gloom as great as that surround- 
ing the storm-tossed shallop settled on the May- 
flower. The moments were tense to the family of 
James Chilton, whose illness daily became more 
acute, and hope of his recovery faded in the hearts 
of his loving wife and daughter. Into the loving 
sympathy of their friends and their own deep sor- 
row, there entered a shock and excitement of stun- 
ning effect, when it was discovered that Dorothy 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 79 

Bradford was missing. Someone had seen her on 
deck — we see her, too — standing, in the sunset, 
wrapped in her long cape, looking over the water, 
alone. 

We recall her as, years past, we saw her on 
another winter afternoon, in Amsterdam, standing 
with Patience Brewster on the banks of the canal, 
gay with skaters — the elder's daughter, then, now 
the wife of one of the principal men of this com- 
pany. 

One who kept a record of those days wrote : "At 
anchor in Cape Cod harbor. This day Mistress 
Dorothy Bradford, wife of Master Bradford, who is 
away with the exploring party, to the westward, fell 
overboard and was drowned." A woman of the 
Mayflower whose experience of the New World was 
destined to be brief — and never of Plymouth 
Colony — the one appointed to lead the way into a 
New Country for many of the women who sorrowed 
that night for her sudden going. That no further 
comment or record was made of this tragedy seems 
remarkable. Out of the silence conjectures arise, 
as will in such conditions, without form or founda- 
tion in truth as far as can ever be known. 

Mr. Chilton died the next day — the first head of 
a family to be taken. The illness which was grad- 
ually affecting many of the company, grew out of 
the colds and run down condition they had reached. 
It seems like grip or influenza of our modern knowl- 
edge, with other complications; its fatality was 
appalling. Marj^ Chilton and her mother had need 



80 The Women of the Mayflower 

of the uplifting sympathy and companionship of 
such friends as Mary Brewster and Susanna White 
in the dark hours of their sorrow. Theirs was the 
first test of faith. The little family of three had 
expected to face the new life together, with what- 
soever pleasure or privation it might bring, and to 
have the one taken for whom and with whom the 
other two had willingly ventured, strong in their 
love and determination to bear their part in the 
work which needed women's hands to secure even 
a semblance of home, was crushing indeed. Yet 
these women, already proven brave, would now be 
braver still and rejoice in the safe return in the 
shallop of the other husbands and fathers who 
brought the good ncAvs of a satisfactory place to 
establish their settlement. 

The enthusiasm of these men at the happy ending 
of their uncomfortable and dangerous journey was 
soon lessened by knowledge of the grievous and 
unexpected events which had happened while they 
were away. 

We think it was Elder Brewster who gave the sad 
explanation to William Bradford as to why Dorothy 
was not with the cluster of women and girls who 
crowded so eagerly at the ship's rail to catch first 
glimpse of their men as the discoverers returned. 
These men had lately seen and touched a rock, for 
them a stepping-stone, that day of exploration, to 
solid ground — they saw it not as the gateway of a 
mighty nation ; a rock which had wandered to that 
place from far away; a traveller, a pilgrim who had 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 81 

waited long to welcome these pilgrims. They re- 
turned now to the rock of their community, William 
Brewster, keystone of the arch of their high aspira- 
tions, molder and guardian of the firm principles 
that other rock so fitly typified. 

One more storm and struggle for the Mayflower 
on weighing anchor again, one more disappointing 
return to a harbor which she desired to leave, but 
after all a calm day's sail across the bay and rest 
in that quiet harbor guarded by the lonely rock. 
Her work nobly performed, her name immortal, she 
had reached the goal. 



THE FIRST STREET. 




mn ■■ mn ■■ mm ■■ rrm 



THE FIRST STREET. 

The first street of Plymouth, the first street of 
New England, was in the making. From the decks 
of the Mayflower the women looked longingly toward 
the land, whither the men went daily, hearing the 
sounds of hammering and sawing which came across 
the harbor, for as yet none of them had been per- 
mitted to go ashore in these new surroundings. The 
hill which arose at the water's edge, behind the 
rock, was snow-crowned; around and beside it a 
path had been cut and worn by the men as they went 
to the work of making houses for their families. 

By the maps and charts of the company, it was 
found that this situation, which they had all ap- 
proved for their permanent residence, was the place 
visited and named by an earlier explorer of whom 
they had heard, and some had seen, Captain John 
Smith. The appellation he gave to it suited them 
well — Plymouth; if they had had the selection of a 
name as well as the site for their New World home, 
it could not have been better chosen, in view of the 
fact that Plymouth was the last place their feet had 
trod and their eyes seen in their Old World home, 
and the inhabitants of that town had been kind to 
them. 

Nevertheless it was of Ley den that they thought 
when building. The larger hill at the end of the 



86 The Women of the Maijfloiver 

street, which they at first saw in the mind's eye, 
even as we do now, reminded them of the eminence 
crowned by the fort at Leyden, and upon it they 
would build their fort and it would be a constant 
reminder of the Burg. 

But first must be built the store-house to hold all 
their belongings moved from the ship, and then the 
few houses necessary to shelter themselves. Of these 
plans they talked at night when the men returned to 
the ship or on the days when the weather was so 
inclement that no trip could be made ashore; these 
delays were a constant strain upon the nerves of all, 
as the need for haste was so evident, with winter's 
storms increasing and the impatience of the crew 
growing therewith, to say nothing of the failing 
health and strength of so many of themselves. 

The fortitude and patience of the women who had 
braved all the dangers, shared all the trials, and 
now, in spite of courage and cheerfulness seemed 
fading before their eyes was enough to urge every 
man to use his own last reserves of energy and 
strength to provide better conditions for them. They 
well realized the important asset to their venture, 
of the women. Without them not even the mag- 
netism and charm of Brewster, the indomitableness 
and courage of Myles Standish, the business ability 
of Allerton, the experience of Hopkins, the worldly 
wisdom of Winslow, the youth and strength of John 
Howland and John Alden or the zeal and fervor of 
Bradford and Carver could have assured the stabil- 
ity and success of this colony. Previous settlements 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 87 

in this region and others further south bore witness 
to a lack of something making for continued interest 
and permanence on the part of the men, who were 
not wanting in necessary personal qualities. The 
abandonment of such ventures in Maine and Vir- 
ginia, where no women had accompanied the men, 
is proof that a common larder and fireside are not 
the things for which men struggle against hardship, 
disaster and death. But the street of Plymouth, 
albeit made in the face of every trial of circum- 
stance, was made by men for the women they loved, 
and Plymouth has never been abandoned nor its 
street untrod by the families and descendants of 
these men and women. 



The weeks of Januarj^^ drag by, spent by the men 
ashore, many not returning to the ship at night when 
the roof of the store-house was finished, both to save 
the time of the trip back and forth and to guard 
their belongings already there ; so lights gleamed at 
night from Plymouth, seen by the weary watchers 
on the ship and the ship lights shone in the sight 
of the builders, signals to one another yet seeming 
to make the gloom of their situation more visible. 

The violent storm which ushered in the month 
caused the Mayflower to madly roll and tug at three 
anchors necessary to hold her ; in the midst of this 
discomfort, the third birth occurred on the ship, but 
the son of Isaac and Mary Allerton never knew the 
world to which he came. One of the young men, 



88 The Women of the Mayflower 

Richard Britteridge, also died about this time, and 
so the burials began on the snow-covered hill. 

The women had more to do, however, than look 
towards the shore and long to land, for the life on 
the ship was not an idle one for any of them while 
health and strength lasted. As, one by one, illness 
attacked them, those remaining well had many 
added cares. Assisting Doctor Fuller, attending to 
the wants of the families of those mothers who were 
ill, preparing the food for the sick and for the men 
who went daily ashore to work, keeping the children 
safe and amused, and, above all, keeping their own 
faith and hope alive went on as unendingly as the 
swell of the sea beneath them. 

By the end of the month, the house built to store 
their belongings and to shelter some of them while 
the others were being erected, was finished and was 
also a hospital in its capacity of general or commo7i 
house, for numbers of the workers had to occupy the 
beds as fast as they could be brought from the ship, 
their brave fight against the odds overwhelming 
many. The women had an hour of frightful sus- 
pense when, suddenly, before the eyes of some look- 
ing towards the land, flames leapt out and shouts 
were heard. They were sure the dreaded event had 
happened — that the Indians had attacked and van- 
quished all ashore. But the later knowledge that no 
Indians had appeared and no one was hurt, recon- 
ciled them to the loss of the roof of the common 
house from too great a fire in the chimney ; it had 
to be relaid — and then the joyful decision was made 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 89 

that all who were able should come from the ship 
on the next Sunday for a service in the common 
house, which was to serve also as church and bar- 
racks for a time. 

The little ship of the Pilgrims, called only "the 
shallop," and already proven staunch and true to 
their needs, leaves the side of the Mayflower on this 
wintry Sunday, with the women as passengers for 
the first time, and sails over the mile or so of water 
towards the landing. Some are using their greatest 
efforts; some are too weak to come at all, and even 
those still well are vastly different in looks and man- 
ner from their appearance at leaving old Plymouth 
or even on that first Monday of enthusiasm at Cape 
Cod. But all feel that a new era is dawning and 
again the need calls out the latent spirit of sacrifice 
inherent in every woman, on this occasion once more 
requiring the putting aside of personal feelings of 
sorrow or illness for the common good. From tha 
day when these women gave up their early associa- 
tions and left their English homes to live in a 
strange country among people with different cus- 
toms and language, striving to preserve their own 
during the twelve years of their sojourn, through 
the time of their embarking at Delfshaven and later 
sailing from Plymouth, when they saw cherished 
possessions and loved members of their families left 
behind, during the famous voyage with its heart- 
rending conditions for them of wet, cold, poor food, 
overcrowding, storms, anxiety, to the day they 



90 The Women of the Mayflower 

landed, worn and exhausted with no homes to go to, 
new hardships and dangers awaiting them, self- 
sacrifice was in a continual^ ascending scale and, 
for many, could go no further. 

Some of the men are standing on the rock, watch- 
ing the progress of the boat, some are grouped at 
the Common House on guard, as ever, against a sur- 
prise from the unknown Indians. The governor, the 
elder, several of the other men whose wives are in 
the boat, two or three of the younger men we may 
see in the grave group at the landing, but the light 
of expectancy and contentment for this one hour at 
least, glows in their faces. With costumes so similar 
it is hard to distinguish where each woman is placed 
in the shallop and to single out a special one for 
whom a man may be looking. At the bow two or 
three are grouped, waving to their welcomers, their 
alertness seeming to be an urge to the little craft. 
The eager children are held from crowding forward 
as they near the shore. An instant of excitement, 
the sailors making ready to fasten the boat, it 
touches, is beside the rock; the woman who stood 
foremost at the bow on the way over, has poised her- 
self a second and sprung from the boat, catching at 
the outstretched hands of the nearest man, to steady 
her foothold on the slippery stone; the keen wind 
and spray have dashed color in her cheeks, the bril- 
liancy of sun on snow is reflected in her eyes — a 
flashing triumph at being the first — it is Mary 
Chilton. Romeone has said that Plymouth Rock 
began with her its fame, but for her and for the 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 91 

other women, quickly following her to clasp the 
hands of the men, — as it had been for those men — 
it became for them the threshold into Plymouth 
Colony. Some of the women of the Mayflower have 
not gotten so far, and some of these scarce pass the 
threshold. 

The service is held, as planned ; once more they 
listen to the uplifting and strengthening words of 
their Elder. Afterwards some return to the May- 
flower, but others remain with their husbands on 
shore. 

The work on the other houses goes forward as 
rapidly as possible. All were built of squared logs, 
the crevices filled with clay, the roofs a thatch of 
the swamp grass, resembling their English cottages 
in this. The few windows have only oiled paper to 
resist the winter's storms. Each house is set on a 
plot of ground of its own on either side of the 
street — the location for each family being decided 
by lot. Yet building by men cramped with rheuma- 
tism and sciatica, or falling down from weakness as a 
prelude to illness and death is not a rapid business, 
and, for all that they planned at first to live as com- 
pactly as possible, without being crowded, the unat- 
tached young men to be part of the families — as 
they had been in Leyden — it soon became evident 
that many houses would not be needed. 

In less than a week after the first visit of the wo- 
men ashore, not all the prowess of Myles Standish, 
hero of war in Flanders, not all his own unending 
strength and endurance, could defend his Rose from 



92 The Women of the Mayflower 

the blight of illness nor shield his heart from the 
sharp stab of sorrow. She had dreamed of the new 
home in a land of fair skies, sunshine and flowers, 
not this region of snows ; she knew how thin and 
white she was growing, but she knew that her hus- 
band had not ventured on any vain purpose, and 
willed to be brave for his sake. Her high resolves 
were not long tested however, ere she gained the 
reward of her faith. 

Others soon followed her, and, having but crossed 
the threshold, Ann Tilly, Mrs. Martin, little Ellen 
More and Mary Chilton's mother were gone from the 
colony; another month and Mary Allerton, John 
Tilly's wife, Sarah Eaton and the sister-in-law of 
Doctor Fuller (Mrs. Edward Fuller), were num- 
bered with them. Meanwhile, Susanna White had 
become a widow, and Elizabeth Tilly an orphan, 
with Mary Chilton, and soon Priscilla MuUins was 
added to these girls' forlorn state. Alice Rigdale 
and her husband ; Thomas Tinker, his wife and 
child, needed not houses nor land in Plymouth. Two 
of the More boys and a number of the young men 
fell victims in the great mortality, and Sarah Priest, 
in Leyden, was a widow, though nearly a year 
passed before she knew it. A little later and Eliza- 
beth Winslow slipped from the gentle hand clasp 
of Katherine Carver, to join her other dear friend, 
Rose Standish. 

Thus twelve wives were swept away by this fatal 
epidemic, some from the Mayflower, some from the 
land. Even the comfort of graves bearing their 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 93 

names which should tell those who loved them, and 
others, that they had been with them, was denied 
them. But their monument is the hill by the sea- 
shore, on which their graves were made, and their 
remembrance shall last as long as mayflowers blos- 
som. 

From the time of the first anchoring of the ship 
(at Cape Cod) of the total of the twenty-five women 
and young girls, thirteen were released from their 
labors. It is indeed remarkable that even twelve 
should have survived. Into the hearts of those re- 
covering from their own illness, the spirit of desola- 
tion must have entered for a time, as they struggled 
to their feet again, to grieve for those who were 
laid to rest under the snow and to take up the 
burdens of life once more. Many of the men had 
gone, too, but few of the children. 

For the five elder women, life, even under the cir- 
cumstances, still was worth while. The governor's 
wife had the loving care and interest of all but two 
of her household's original numbers; her husband, 
her young ward, her maid and John Rowland; two 
of the other young men, as well as the little boy she 
cared for on the voyage, Jasper More, had gone. But 
deepest grief was not, as yet, her portion. Mary 
Brewster, too, was strengthened by the sight of her 
husband untouched by illness and apparently not 
weakened by the terrific work and strain he had been 
under, and her own two boys, soon helping as ablj'' 
as before, and even Richard More, the sole survivor 
of his family, was already one of her's. For Eliza- 



94 The Women of the Mayflower 

beth Hopkins and Eleanor Billington not one of 
their own particular groups were gone. But 
Susanna White had left only her own two children, 
her nephew and her brother — and he, of course, 
seemed to belong to each one as much as to her. 

Humility Cooper and Elizabeth Tilly, Priscilla 
MuUins and Mary Chilton were indeed the most 
truly alone, each one being the sole representative of 
her family. 

On the five women the care and responsibility fell 
heaviest, though the girls and even the children had 
their share in the general division of labor. Each 
served while there was nursing to be done. Cooking 
was not only a duty but a serious problem in finding 
the wherewithal to tempt failing appetites or keep 
up the strength of the men and children. Who can 
doubt that these women often went hungry that oth- 
ers might have more? Scarce wonderful that Mary 
Brewster and Katherine Carver never regained their 
full health again. The former took to her home and 
mother love the homeless and motherless girls, sadly 
missing her own daughters, so far away. 

Gradually came a lessening of the strain of appre- 
hension of unknown evils; the problem of the 
Indians had been solved on the day that they heard 
the word "welcome" from a strange voice, and, from 
then on, mutual fear diminished between their im- 
mediate neighbors in the forest and themselves, and 
visits from these strange people became frequent and 
helpful as well. 

The day of the making of another covenant was 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 95 

one marked by color and animation in the doleful 
monotony of those early months, for the women with 
strength enough for interest. Their governor, with 
all the formalities of his office, met and entertained 
the sovereign of the savages, and the lively music of 
the drum and trumpet, the firm footsteps of the 
military guard quickened their spirits and brought 
a sense of assurance. The green rug, on which roy- 
alty sat, in one of the unfinished houses, must always 
have brought back, to the woman who owned it, that 
scene and its results — the lasting treaty of mutual 
friendship and benefit. That other rug of modern 
times, on which the Liberty Bell rested at the Pana- 
ma-Pacific Exposition, in 1915, afterwards used at 
celebrations connected with the great generals of the 
World War, is interesting but not more important in 
the historical part it has played than the rug which 
we now see in fancy. 

Also their defense from their fort was accom- 
plished, the cannon being landed and dragged up 
the greater hill, to the summit, and a strong building 
erected there. Military preparedness began as soon 
as the men were able to drill, under command of 
Myles Standish, their chosen Captain. 

Gradually, also, Spring came, the children found 
arbutus and other early flowers, and were happy, 
though their search might not take them far from 
sound of the home voices, as the fearsome sound of 
the wolves was a constant warning. Remember and 
Mary Allerton and Damaris Hopkins played on the 
beach with Constance, Elizabeth and Humility, and 



96 The Women of the Mayflower 

gathered the bright shells in the warm sunshine till 
the pink of the shells and arbutus was reflected in 
their cheeks. The sailors, now that the connection 
between them and their erstwhile passengers was 
soon to end and their roughness softened by the 
common ills of the winter, were glad to tell tales to 
amuse the children, when lingering ashore. 

And, so, with the April mildness on land and sea, 
came the last night when the lights of the Mayflower 
shone to them out of the darkness. On the morning 
of its departure, how visible the scene is to us. The 
women watch from places of vantage, in groups or 
singly, in company with some men or with the child- 
ren clinging to them, from the hill beside the street, 
their wistful eyes following the battered sails out of 
the harbor, while the guns from the Fort ring out 
in parting salute the farewell to their ever-ready 
shelter, to the only connecting link between them 
and the rest of their race. Each one has been asked 
a question all have had plenty of time to consider 
well, if it were needed to repeat, "shall we, shall T 
go back?" Away with the Mayflower to a once 
familiar life from unfamiliar trials, from haunting 
memories to friends or relatives left on the other 
side of the sea? Each woman for herself has an- 
swered "No." The venture made in faith by those 
loved and gone from their sight, should not have 
been made in vain ; the standard formed of high hope 
and courage should not go down while they were 
able in the light of that faith and remembrance to 
carry it forward. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 97 

Now only as a mirage can their ship be seen on the 
far horizon. 

Susanna White, clasping her baby closer, stands 
near the place on the hill where the body of William, 
her husband, had been laid; not far away near the 
grave of Elizabeth, his wife, is Edward Winslow. 
Their eyes, though seeing each other, are viewing 
things far away. (Could a breath from the lindens 
of Leyden be wafted to them?) In that moment 
arose a consciousness of an unfelt emotion — hith- 
erto drowned by selfishness in sorrow — pity. 

Mutual shock and endurance was to continue for 
them all on this same day. To shake from them any 
idle reflections, the men worked steadily and vigor- 
ously for the remaining hours, on the new fields and 
planting of seeds, the elder, the doctor, the governor, 
each exerting every energy, as well as the other men 
and boys. The day proved unusually hot and the 
governor seemed to feel it greatly. Reaching his 
home, he lay down to rest, but while his family 
waited upon him in deep concern, he lost conscious- 
ness. Thus not only was the harbor dark that night, 
but a cloud hung over Plymouth and common anx- 
iety on their governor's account caused the depar- 
ture of the Mayflower to be almost forgotten. But 
the governor was worn out, not with that day's labor 
but by his labors, as has been said, "in three coun- 
tries and on the sea, as counselor, agent, nurse, 
farmer, magistrate and man of God," and, in spite 
of their efforts and distress, consciousness did not 



98 The Women of the Mayflower 

return ere he passed from them. In the pathetic 
description, by his successor, "he was buried in the 
best manner they could, with some vollies of shot 
by all that bore arms," and his grave left smooth 
and unmarked, as the others on the hill, that it 
might not appear to any enemy that their numbers 
were lessened. Though the office of governor was 
filled, the first lady of the colony had no successor, 
since the widower, William Bradford, was chosen. 
Her anguish of grief was so intense, and her frail- 
ness grew so perceptably, that it became evident her 
stay with them was but transitory. 

And again, as in Leyden, the doctor's sister kept 
the home for him ; but there were more members in 
the family than in those by-gone days, for Susanna 
had three little lads to care for now, and the doctor 
three small nephews to play with. Let us follow the 
bright rays of the sunset into their cottage on a May 
evening. Supper is over, and now is little Pere- 
grine's bedtime. His mother is gently rocking the 
cradle, as she mends his brother's stockings, glanc- 
ing now and then at the smiling but sleepy baby 
and urging him in softest baby language to accom- 
pany the "sandman" without further delay; but 
Peregrine's ambition seems to be to stay awake on 
this bright particular evening and he coos and 
laughs in response to his mother's admonitions. His 
brother and cousin are romping just outside the 
front door and Resolved runs in to get the cane that 
had been his father's, to play horse with. Susanna 



arid Women of Plymouth Colony 99 

sits on a bench beneath the little square window, 
which swings open with its paper pane, and the 
breeze which enters plays with the soft, curly ten- 
drils of her hair; beside her on the bench stands the 
little chest of drawers which has ever held her 
sewing articles and trinkets since William White 
gave it to her when they were married. A shadow 
falls across the light and men's voices come to her 
as her brother passes with a friend, returning from 
a stroll to enjoy a smoke by the cottage door. Twi- 
light is fast failing now ; the baby is at last asleep ; 
Susanna softly puts away her sewing and goes into 
the living-room, adjoining, to light a candle at the 
fire-place ; she then stands in the doorway to call in 
Resolved and Samuel, as she does each evening; she 
sees her brother and his friend on the doorstep 
bench, also quite a regular occurrence about this 
hour, and Edward Winslow rises in his courtly man- 
ner to receive her smile of greeting. In the few weeks 
since the sailing of the Mayflower, her pity and sym- 
pathy have unconsciously awakened an interest 
which is now slowly dawning in some wonderment 
upon her, while for Winslow he had already ques- 
tioned himself if she would be willing to let him take 
William White's place, and if, on the other hand, 
she could fill the vacancy left at his hearth-stone by 
Elizabeth? He thought he knew the answer to the 
second question, but for the first sought her reply. 
That Edward Winslow, talented, aristocratic, of 
good family and of some wealth, should admire her, 
pictures Susanna for us almost as plainly as his 



100 Thr Wonicr. of the May flower 

painted portrait represents him. We have not the 
slight details of her features, but in fancying her 
with the light brown hair, blue eyes and pink and 
white skin of a young English mother in her twen- 
ties, we cannot be far wrong; and for character, the 
reflections of her life and times show us that which 
certified the regard of all who knew her and gives 
her to ours. Her good sense ever caused her accept- 
ance of facts and prompt adjustment of her life to 
the conditions imposed upon it by circumstances. 
By her intelligence and resourcefulness she was 
saved from the dissipation of despondency, devoting 
her physical and mental energies to making the best 
of the situation in which she found herself. With 
courage she contemplated the present and took 
thought of and measured the possibilities of the fu- 
ture. Her cheerfulness and adaptibility to the 
inevitable in meeting her serious problems won her 
a victory over them and greatly increased her own 
pleasure in living and unquestionably added to the 
pleasure of others. She had had advantages of com- 
fortable circumstances always — more than some and 
as much as few of the pilgrim women had; her 
brother, her husband, were men of education and 
breeding, such also the men of the families of her 
nearest friends. 

Edward Winslow, doing always the unexpected, 
but always pleasing himself, soon found the oppor- 
tunity of settling the question in his thoughts. 
Shortly thereafter Mary Brewster again played con- 
fident to a neighbor. When the bans were published 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 101 

at the next Sunday service, announcing such an item 
of interest in the lonely, quiet existence of the com- 
munity, any surprise was soon dissolved for most, 
by their regard for the principals. Before May 
was over, the simple ceremony took place, performed 
by the governor, as magistrate, as he himself has 
recorded, "after the fashion of the Low Countries," 
and the first bride of the colony appears before us. 
Anna Fuller whom we first knew in Leyden, there 
becoming Susanna White, now changes, as far as 
name goes, into the second Mistress Winslow of 
Plymouth and before her stretch long years of pros- 
perity. And contentment and happiness? Yes, 
such as a woman like her will always seek and find. 
Natural curiosity ever alert at a time of a wedding 
is sadly checked for us, by dearth of description or 
detail of this one, so full of an unusual interest. The 
old friend Mary Brewster, was surely witness for 
the bride, and her brother, the doctor; while the 
elder, as properly, was witness for the groom, and 
Isaac Allerton, doubtless, as assistant. But what 
repast Mary Chilton, Priscilla Mullins and Eliza- 
beth Tilly, reinforced by the culinary skill of Mis- 
tress Hopkins, prepared for the newly married 
couple, or M'ho were of the wedding guests who par- 
took, or whether at her house or his, we have no 
record. "We know simplicity was the keynote, as 
complying both with the Pilgrim opinion and the 
necessity caused by conditions. It was an important 
day for the bride and for the young girls, who were 
gladly stirred by the event into a remembrance of 



102 The Women of the Ma\j flower 

romance and a brighter side of life, forgotten for 
many a day. It even aroused Katherine Carver 
from her lethargy of grief into a wondering atten- 
tion when Elizabeth Tilly gave to Desire Minter all 
the details in her possession, which we gladly would 
glean also, if we could. However, the date appears 
upon the page of Plymouth history like an illumin- 
ated initial letter, for it marks the beginning of a 
more normal life. The dark days since their arrival 
which seemed emphasized only by sickness and death 
and hunger and cold, had passed. 

The summer thus ushered in, brought its herbs 
for salad and medicine, its wild fruits and berries 
of many varieties, its fish and game, also roses to 
gladden their eyes, fragrant and colorful, and, ow- 
ing to the friendliness and good understanding with 
the Indians, the colonists might walk in the woods 
round about their homes as in the highways of 
England. The two Indians called Squanto and 
Hobomok, who attached themselves permanently to 
the colonj^ showed them many things of advantage 
in the way of agriculture and home crafts which the 
women were as glad to learn as the men. 

About six weeks after their marriage, Susanna 
Winslow bade her husband the first of the many 
farewells she would experience in the coming days, 
because of his frequent journeys in the cause of the 
colony. He was now to seek the great Indian chief, 
Massasoit, with whom the treaty had been made, a 
few months before, and the governor had selected 
him and Stephen Hopkins for this necessary visit. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 103 

The walk through the woods was long and tiresome 
and consumed more than a week, but the object of 
their journey was accomplished. Susanna Winslow 
and Elizabeth Hopkins, awaiting in some natural 
anxiety at home for their return, or news of them, 
must have been somewhat startled the day the gov- 
ernor sent them the message he had just received by 
an Indian runner, that their husbands were nearly 
starving and struggling homeward, exhausted. 
These two wives hastily despatched food by the In- 
dian, to meet them at a certain place, and had an 
abundant supper in readiness on the rainy evening 
of their return. 

Soon after this, the upsetting occurrence of a lost 
child came upon them, and Eleanor Billington had 
the sympathy of the mothers because one of her boys 
had been too venturesome in the woods and strayed 
away. He was found by the Indians miles from 
Plymouth and word being brought of this, the gov- 
ernor sent a boat to the place of the Indian encamp- 
ment which brought the boy back, no worse for his 
adventure, so this excitement passed. Expeditions 
among the Indians became necessary, both of force- 
ful and peaceful intent, which made recurring 
anxiety for the women, until the men had safely 
returned. 

At the close of the summer, once again sorrow 
filled their hearts, as one more of their number went 
from the friends who loved her. It was the only 
happiness left for Katherine Carver to follow her 
husband out of this world, which no longer con- 



104 The Women of the Mayflower 

tained anything of interest to her and the future no 
hope strong enough to relieve her broken heart. So, 
lovel}' and lamented, she was laid to rest on the hill 
by the shore, where so many others of their brave 
and fair were sleeping. This left but two of the 
married women who had left Leyden together : 
Mary Brewster and Susanna Winslow. But the 
number of the girls remained complete. 

The first anniversary of their sailing from old 
Plymouth, came and went. The survivors of that 
day's company on the ship must have observed it 
with many thoughts. These September days were 
busy ones, indeed, as preparations to meet the com- 
ing winter began. Their Spring planting had been 
successful in all except peas, and their harvest of 
corn was abundant. The wild grapes were made 
into wine, the corn pounded into meal, each house- 
hold a veritable hive of workers ; while the wear and 
tear on their clothes must be repaired and new gar- 
ments made, or purchased when strictly necessary, 
from the supply stored in the Common House, 

But an interval occurred in this routine and it 
may be introduced to us by a picture of the living- 
room in the Brewster house, by candle light, which 
contains all the women of the colony in earnest dis- 
cussion. This conclave is caused by the recent sug- 
gestion of the governor that in view of the fact of 
their successful harvest, and renewed health, a 
period of recreation should be planned and enjoyed 
by all; games, feasting, mirth and frolic, a conibina- 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 105 

tion of festivities of both England and Holland 
with which they were familiar, and not only were 
preparations to be for themselves but for guests — 
Chief Massasoit and many of his warriors were to 
be invited, with no doubt at all of their acceptance. 
Many of the men had been hunting that day to pro- 
vide the game, and the results were enough to last 
a week. It was not questions of what to provide, 
but how much of everything would be needed, and 
which of them would prepare and roast the wild 
turkeys, who boil the fish, who make sauces and side 
dishes or cook vegetables, who bake, who make the 
salads, and all the other necessary plans for cooks 
who are hostesses, and hostesses who are cooks. The 
problem has a familiar appearance to many of us 
in our own day. Favorite receipts were compared, 
and whoever excelled in a certain thing was to have 
charge of that supply. All were good cooks so it 
was a case of friendly emulation and rivalry in this 
novel experience, with which each housekeeper re- 
tired that night, after they had talked and planned 
to their satisfaction. More than a hundred to be 
provided for over a three day period, and eleven 
women and young girls to see it through; even the 
littlest girls. Remember and Mary Allerton and 
Damaris Hopkins had to help, and of course the 
men did their share in keeping the great fires burn- 
ing and dressing the game, and the boys in carrying 
water from the brook. Every iron kettle, every long 
and short legged pot and pan, every wooden bowl 
and leathern bottle, every pewter dish, with hooks, 



106 The Women of the Mayflower 

spits and trivets were in use ; wooden cups or gourds 
to drink from, and knives and napkins. The only 
forks were the long-handled iron ones for cooking 
purposes, their use for the table was not kno\\Ti, 
their service was supplied by napkins and spoons. 

The Indians arrived and encamped around the 
street, thoughtfully bringing a large supply of veni- 
son to add to the bill of fare. The cooks and wait- 
resses in whitest of linen caps, kerchiefs and aprons, 
with short woolen skirts and buckled shoes, had 
many steps to take to serve the banqueters seated at 
the great tables erected in front of the houses ; and 
when the men were having their contests of shooting 
or games, they cleared away or looked on at the 
entertainment as they could. They and the children, 
in sampling the products of their cooking or taking 
a mouthful, now and then, were kept from being 
hungry in the midst of plenty by being too busy 
to eat. 

The long shadows of the third day saw the end of 
the event. And was the first American "block 
party" a success? We may say that it was. And 
were the women tired? We will agree to that also. 
But the men were pleased, the children happy, and 
one recovers quickly from the fatigue of gratifying 
achievement. Thus was their public thanksgiving 
celebrated, by order of the governor. 

On a November day some weeks later, household 
tasks were going as usual ; many of the men were 
gathering the last of the harvest, others getting in 
the winter's supply of wood. We may see Mistress 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 107 

Brewster in her kitchen distilling herbs and witch- 
hazel for domestic medicines, as was the custom of 
each housewife, that Dr. Fuller's supply might not 
be too freely drained. She has the help and com- 
pany of Mary Chilton this afternoon — both uncon- 
scious of any special interest that the day may 
bring to them especially, before its close, yet the 
unexpected was as often happening then as now. 
Priscilla and Elizabeth had taken Desire Minter on 
a search for more sassafras, hoping to entertain and 
amuse the listless girl, who, since Mrs. Carver's 
death, seemed to grow each day more unhappy. The 
two Marys are talking of the return voyage of the 
Mayflower — how long it might have been or how 
short — and if their friends in England and Hol- 
land had received the many letters and messages 
taken back by the Captain. Suddenly they are 
startled by the sound of the gun from the fort ! 
Another shot ! They are in the street now and like- 
wise every woman and child — it is the signal for 
assembly — and the men may be seen hurrying from 
the woods and fields. The Governor accompanied by 
the Captain and an Indian runner are rapidly 
descending the hill from the fort, both looking espe- 
cially determined. The news is soon in possession of 
all. A ship has entered Cape Cod harbor — seen 
by the Indians and word brought at once to Plym- 
outh! Surprise and suspense were but some of the 
feelings this news aroused. They had been seven 
months without sight or sound of the world beyond 
their little settlement and its woodland neighbors. 



108 The Women of the Mayflower 

It woiild have to be Spring before a friendly ship 
could be expected to find them (for newcomers 
could not live in comfort or be of use till then) and 
as England and France were on far from friendly 
terms, this might be a ship of the latter nationality, 
seeking them with hostile intent. But preparedness 
w^as ever their daily thought and ability to cope with 
any emergency. Thus the Captain's little army of 
defense, twenty men, was soon marshalled and ready 
— none without a gun in hand — to protect their 
women, children and homes to the last man. 

Maiy Brewster sees her husband in the front ranl<, 
of course. He can fight as ardently as praj^ if 
necessary, and while wishing that an enemy might 
be converted and enjoy life, if that were impossible, 
then no question of who should fire first. The Cap- 
tain had no weaklings in his command, even the boys 
and younger men were heroes with such leaders. 
Their eyes sharpened by expectancy and uncer- 
tainty, soon discern the stranger's sails, even as the 
lookout from the fort calls out the fact that it is in 
view. Intently they wait and watch, when, behold, 
before their astonished eyes, the flag of England is 
flung out in greeting ! Relief and amazement run 
a race in their minds. The ship is smaller than the 
Speedwell. The first boat puts out, making straight 
for the men drawn up on the seashore. In their in- 
credulity they can scarce recognize, can scarce 
believe, what they see : Robert Cushman grasping 
the hands of Brewster and Bradford ; John Winslow 
seizing his brother Gilbert's shoulders: Jonathan 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 109 

Brewster being sprung upon by his brothers, from 
the ranks, and then Thomas Prence just behind him. 

Such confusion and laughter, such embraces and 
tears of joy as the women, realizing the situation, 
come running down the street to meet the crowd 
coming from the water's edge. 

And in another boat come two women, friends 
from Leyden, the widow Ford and her children and 
Mistress Basset. The relief of the newcomers was 
quite equal to that of the Plymouth people, but for 
a different reason. Not finding any signs of habita- 
tion in the first harbor of their search, they feared 
that all survivors had died or been killed by Indians, 
and as in their long voyage of four months they had 
consumed about all of their provisions, they feared 
starvation for themselves. All were in good health, 
with good appetites and spirits and as soon as their 
apprehension was dispelled, at sight of their friends 
and their plentiful supply of food, gaiety reigned. 
The problem of housing for these thirty-five new- 
comers was finally settled by nightfall, each house- 
keeper putting up with some crowding to take in 
several, and the Common House once more giving 
shelter. What welcome of friends and relatives, 
what interest at news from others, the ensuing hours 
saw; what joyful supper parties that evening! 

Thus the isolation of Plymouth was broken. The 
sails of the Fortune had brought them once again 
the touch of the outside world. 

By daylight, another young lady had joined the 
colony, and Martha Ford opened her eyes, on the 



110 The Women of the Mayflower 

first morning of her life, in Plymouth. Just why 
her mother should have come across the ocean at 
this time is not clear to us. She was a widow and 
evidently of some means to be able to bring all her 
children with her. We may suppose, without 
stretching the bounds of probability, that her hus- 
band had been preparing to bring his family to the 
new colony, and that, after his sudden death, she 
carried out the plans. 

The Fortune remained two weeks, and lively 
weeks to get her well laden with the first exports of 
the colony, furs, lumber and sassafras making a rich 
invoice. Letters were written — letters of enthus- 
iastic description ; letters of encouragement to join 
the life of the New World ; letters of advice, and let- 
ters replying to those received, for many words of 
sympathy had been sent in response to the dreary 
news brought back by the Mayflower. There was a 
particular letter from the governor (one of sym- 
pathy, also) to Mistress Alice Southworth, in Lon- 
don, since Robert Cushman brought the news of her 
recent widowhood. 

Robert Cushman had come especially as emissary 
from the merchants who had underwritten the Pil- 
grims, and to see for himself in what condition they 
were, for report at home. He was so pleased with 
what he experienced, however, that he planned a 
permanent stay at a future day, and left his young 
son, who had accompanied him, with the governor. 

So the Fortune was ready to sail, and by her 
departure, was to make one more break in the ranks 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 111 

of the women, since Desire Minter chose to go back 
in her, to her friends in England, under charge of 
Kobert Cushman. Her health and spirits had so 
failed that it was considered the best thing for her; 
thus another blank was made in the life of Elizabeth 
Tilly, who had found in Desire a dear friend — and 
in whose heart she was never forgotten. Perhaps 
Desire already forsaw that her place would soon be 
taken and knew that she would leave little Elizabeth 
in good hands. As the Fortune sailed out of the 
harbor, we may see John Rowland near Elizabeth 
with his protective look and ready, encouraging 
smile. 

This little ship did not receive benefit from her 
name, for fortune proved unkind. A French man- 
of-war, lying near the coast of England, captured 
her and took all on board prisoners to a French 
island, where for more than a fortnight they were 
detained. However the ship and passengers were 
then released and reached England — but the val- 
uable cargo and letters were spoils of war. So Alice 
South worth never received the governor's letter, 
but the fact of its having been sent was reported to 
her by her friend, Robert Cushman. Indeed the 
various items of news he brought were of interest to 
many. 

But Desire, if she had only written of her experi- 
ences, or caused them to be written ! Her experiences 
as a woman of the Mayflower, as a woman of Plym- 
outh Colony, her experiences in leaving the latter 
for an English home — with her war adventure as 



112 The ^yomcn of the Mayflower 

ail extra detail. What material she had and of what 
value for the world to read. She •would have been 
a rival historian of Bradford and Winslow, for 
posterity. But of course such a thought never 
occurred to her. She was a woman — and a woman 
could not be independent in the society of that day, 
which was an exclusively masculine society and with 
a system by which feminine conduct was judged 
from a masculine point of view. About two hundred 
and fifty years elapsed before any other point of 
view was deemed possible. And Desire Minter was 
far from being the first of her sex to question. In 
due time word was brought to Plymouth that she 
had reached her friends, and, later on, that her brief, 
but not uneventful life was over. Somewhere Eng- 
lish roses bloom o'er her grave; an interesting pil- 
grimage, if its location were known, as a remem- 
brance of the first woman of the Mayflower and of 
Plj'mouth Colony to return to her early home. 

Meanwhile, before Plymouth knew aught of what 
had happened to the Fortune, much happenc;' 
there. AVhile pleasure in the company of the new- 
comers lasted, supplies did not, and their bubble of 
ioy was soon broken. The Fortune brought no food, 
and thirty-odd extra people, mostly men, to provide 
for, was a serious problem. So their second winter 
was a hard one to get through, with little to eat — 
half rations only — and resultant weakness (though 
fortunately no sickness) scarce enabled them to im- 
prove their condition. Nevertheless, owing to the 
threatening attitude of some of the distant Indians, 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 113 

a protecting wall of lumber was built around the 
town. The street ran from the rock to the battle- 
ment on the greater hill, but some houses were 
erected at a different angle which indicated another 
street for the near future — to be called the High- 
way — and the square came into view. 

In Spring, the women, in addition to household 
duties, helped plant, the children also — though for 
them more of a pleasure than for their mothers, 
struggling with the problems of supply and demand 
in food and clothes. 

On an April day, after the planting, an episode 
occurred which brings before us for the first time, 
a woman not hitherto distinctly in the picture. The 
Indian squaws occasionally came to Plymouth and 
were a help or a bother, according to their personal- 
ity, to the women of the colony. One, however, had 
such agreeable characteristics that she was consid- 
ered a desirable member of the community. Her 
husband, Hobomok, was the colony's trusted inter- 
preter and permanent resident. On this day, we see 
the mothers of the smallest children, Susanna Wins- 
low, Martha Ford and Elizabeth Hopkins, assembled 
in Mistress Hopkins' big kitchen, learning from 
Hobomok 's wife the craft of moccasin making ; th? 
soft foot-coverings were both comfortable and warm 
for the babies. But the lesson is interrupted and 
Hobomok takes his wife away, saying that the gov- 
ernor wants her. The surprise of the women is less- 
ened only by apprehension when they later learn 
that she had been sent on a mission which none of 



114 The Women of the Mayflower 

them could have performed, nor was a man of theirs 
able to cope with its delicacy, not even Hobomok. 
This peculiar circumstance was caused by Squanto, 
their other trusted interpreter and friend. He had 
stated that all was not well with their Indian allies 
and that Massasoit w^as treacherously planning with 
the Narragansetts to exterminate them. The quali- 
fications of Hobomok 's wife were at once apparent 
to the men in consultation over this news, which 
Hobomok insistently declared could not be true. She 
was instructed, therefore, under guise of a casual 
visitor, to go to Massasoit 's camp and learn what 
she could. Her return was anxiously awaited. She 
accomplished her errand in a most satisfactory and 
creditable manner, and her information relieved 
them of alarm. 

Another year passed, with a not very succesful 
harvest ; uncertain Indian affairs, and the arrival of 
boats bringing letters, even visitors but no supplies 
or friends or families — the Merchants and even 
Robert Cushman seemed to fail them. 

Some of the boats brought men whom they sup- 
ported for a time from their scanty supply, who had 
come out to establish another colony on the coast and 
who requited their kindness by ingratitude and 
scorn for a settlement having women. Another boat, 
however, was more acceptable as proving they had 
friends in need, though unknown, for by it word was 
brought of a massacre of Virginia colonists by the 
Indians. From this same kind-hearted ship captain, 
John Huddleston, Edward Winslow — who visited 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 115 

him to extend the colony 's thanks for the warning — 
was able to procure some provisions, of which they 
were greatly in need, and thereby increased their 
bread allowance to a quarter of a pound a day. 
From this warning also they proceeded to build a 
stronger and larger fort, one part being planned for 
a place of worship. 

A trading ship coming in, made them pay exorbi- 
tantly for their needs seeing how greatly they lacked 
them. On this ship, however, was a gentleman who 
was returning to England from Virginia. He made 
the acquaintance of the Plymouth people while the 
ship was in the harbor, and that he was a welcome 
visitor to the Brewster household is told by a letter 
he later sent to Governor Bradford saying how he 
had enjoyed Mr, Brewster's books. A man of like 
tastes, evidently, and his passing acquaintance a 
pleasant incident to them. 

The autumn and winter were punctuated by trips 
taken by the governor and some of the other men, 
with Squanto, in search of camps where the Indians 
would sell corn, as their own harvest was far from 
being enough to keep them until the next. On one 
of these expeditions, Squanto died. 

As planting time approached, in view of the fact 
that the next harvest must produce a much greater 
amount, to avoid the dangers of starvation which 
they were then enduring, the governor, in consulta- 
tion, decided to divide the land into personal hold- 
ings, instead of all lands being worked for and held 
by the community. This new plan quickly grew 



116 The Women of the Mayflower 

increased enthusiasm for planting and culture, since 
emulation and friendly contests for success began. 
Mary Chilton and Humility Cooper were each given 
an acre, and the attention those acres received was 
not less than any other. To work in one's very own 
soil was pleasure as well as profit, discounting the 
fatigue. 

At this time, also, the women had a particularly 
choice bit of satisfaction. No less than the total 
disestablishment and wreck of the colony which the 
men had come to plant who had accepted hospitality 
from the Plymouth people, when they arrived, and 
so discourteously returned it by ridiculing a settle- 
ment which contained women. Appeals for help 
from them were received, and with usual generosity 
were granted, to enable them to keep their lives from 
starvation and the Indians, and to leave that coun- 
try. 

Plymouth had but six matrons; and the young 
woman who had been maid to Mrs. Carver, and four 
young girls, Priscilla, Mary, Elizabeth and Humility, 
with Remember Allerton and Constance Hopkins 
fast leaving childhood in the responsibilities of this 
difficult life. With so many single men the widow 
and the girls could have a half dozen at command in 
an instant, while Mary Brewster had four stroiig 
right arms to rely on, her husband and three sons; 
Susanna Winslow the hands of her husband, brother 
and brothers-in-law, Gilbert and John, at need. Re- 
member and Constance had each a brother to call 
upon and the other two married women, husbands 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 117 

and sons. Nevertheless, no one would care to deny 
that the twenty -four hours of the day of these loyal 
and efficient members of the company were not as 
heavily laden as those of the men, nor that their 
efforts in sustaining the struggling community were 
not as valuable in the final results. 

''They made the home and kept the hearth fires 
burning ; 
They spun and wove and tilled the barren soil ; 
They met each day's return with patient trusting 
And murmured not through all the weary toil." 



THE BRIDE SHIP. 



THE BRIDE SHIP. 

Massasoit was ill — very ill, and a Dutch ship had 
run aground near his encampment. This news, 
brought by runners, caused Winslow to again leave 
his family and penetrate the forests to visit the 
Chief, as he was looked upon as a special friend of 
Massasoit, and could speak Dutch. It was about a 
year from the time when Hobomok's wife went over 
the trail on her diplomatic errand. The Dutch ship 
had gotten away, but Massasoit was decidedly ill. 
Among Winslow 's talents was skill in doctoring and 
nursing, so with some remedies and food he had 
carried with him, he was able to improve the condi- 
tion of the Chief. Massasoit 's delight and gratitude 
manifested themselves in an -important piece of in- 
formation, which was that an Indian conspiracy 
was in the making against Plymouth. With this 
startling revelation Winslow returned. The matter 
was soon concluded, for their Captain, as he believed 
preparation and prevention were better than cure, 
took a picked company and the offensive, and came 
back with the head of the bold ringleader. This 
salutary but grewsome object caused the women to 
look elsewhere than the point on the battlements of 
the fort where it was displayed. However the 
warning had its effect — discontented Indians be- 
came mild in terror of the Sword of the White Men, 



122 The Women of the Mayflower 

as they called Myles Standish. The picked company 
in this event was composed of several of the young 
men who were specially, if secretly, favored by Pris- 
cilla, Mary and Elizabeth. 

Ships and more letters, one bringing truly joyful 
news that, at last, some of their own people would 
come in the next ships sent out by the Merchants. 
This cheer was sorely needed, but as they were just 
managing to keep from starvation by the fish as 
almost their only food, they wondered how they 
could supply the newcomers with a living. The 
prospect Mas indeed dreary, as a protracted drought 
had wilted their cherished crops hopelessly. Anoth- 
er ship, bringing a rather important naval official in 
charge of fishing activities on the coast, came in. 
This officer, Captain Francis West, called Admiral 
of New England, made but a short stay, but long 
enough to fill them with anxiety as he told them he 
had spoken a ship at sea, had boarded her, found 
her bound for this port, and sailed in company with 
her until in a violent storm they lost sight of her. 
He supposed she had already come in, and, finding 
she had not, feared some mischance. 

These summer days were dark for them, starving, 
with hopes of a harvest blighted by drought, and 
now distress for the possible loss of the ship bring- 
ing their loved ones. In this deepest gloom, which 
proved the fore-runner of dawn, they set apart a 
day of prayer, in humility and distress, by their 
faith's steady flame. Under the glaring sun, the 
day began — but at evening the sun set in clouds 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 123 

and the rain came for which they prayed. The corn, 
the fruit was saved. 

Sweet and soft was the air of the summer morning 
some few weeks after this; birds sang joyously and 
a silver mist hung over the sea as Plymouth awoke to 
the new day. The women seemed more light-hearted 
than of late, shown by snatches of song now and 
then as they pursued the common tasks of the house- 
hold. An indefinable feeling which had come to 
them that since the answer to their prayer for rain 
had been given by many refreshing showers, the one 
in supplication for the safety of the ship and their 
expected dear ones could not be in vain and all 
would yet be well, gave them more enjoyment of 
life notwithstanding a breakfast of boiled clams was 
all they could prepare for their families. The smoke 
from the chimneys rose over the thatched roofs, 
pointing seaward. Some of the men came forth 
from their homes, on their way to the day's labors, 
and cheerily greeted one another, stopping to speak 
of the weather and prospects of plenty. 

Mary Brewster stands in her door-way, arranging 
the sprays of the wild rose trained beside it — the 
showers had revived it and it looked its best. She had 
planted and tended it, hoping for the day when her 
daughters might smile at her beside its blossoms. 
Priscilla joins her in admiring it, both thinking of 
Fear and Patience on the longed for ship. They speak 
of this being the first ship to come having a woman 's 
name, and that she was bringing so many women. 



124 The Women of the Mayflower 

John Alden stops on his way past with a mornina: 
greeting. What man more anxious than he for the 
arrival of the Anne, though his bride-to-be is not 
on the ship. Through many months Priscilla has 
heard love's voice, sweet and low, tender and strong, 
and though for one reason and another it seemed 
best to wait, she has now promised to marry him 
when the uncertainty about the ship is over, for 
she could not leave dear Mistress Brewster, who had 
so mothered her, in the suspense concerning her own 
daughters, nor be selfish in thinking of her own 
affairs when the universal anxiety was so great. 

They too, talk of the weather, of the breeze from 
the southwest, and glance at the chimney's long 
finger of smoke pointing, pointing to the sea. Half 
unconsciously they look in that direction and 
watch the thinning fog as it seems to form in pat- 
terns like Flemish lace, as Priscilla says. Now it 
has parted and the sun's brilliancy streams through 
making a jewelled pathway on the water. Quickly 
Priscilla grasps Mary Brewster's hand and flings 
out her arm in the direction the smoke has been 
pointing. Against the pink and golden morning 
sky there is a ship, coming slowly, slowly, into the 
harbor, flinging before her wreaths of pearly foam. 
The Anne! 

"Then from their houses in haste came forth the 
Pilgrims of Plymouth, 
Men and women and children all hurrying down to 
the sea shore." 
Never again did the Pilgrims of Plymouth expe- 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 125 

rience the thrill of that moment at the arrival of 
any ship, and only once before had the feeling ap- 
proached it — at the arrival of the Fortune. Though 
some emotions were similar in each case, such as 
relief and joy, the circumstances were dissimilar. 
The relief was for themselves, for their own wel- 
fare, in the first case, in the second their relief was 
doubled, as the welfare of those on the ship was the 
chief • thought. The first joy was coupled with sur- 
prise at its unexpectedness, the second with thanks- 
giving at the fulfillment of a great hope and antici- 
pation. 

Fathers and husbands, brothers and friends 
jumped into boats to put off to the Anne to see and 
greet at the earliest possible moment those of whom 
they had been thinking and dreaming for so long. 
Here is Richard Warren, Doctor Fuller and Francis 
Cooke, of the first division, Jonathan Brewster and 
Thomas Prence, of the second, off in the first dash. 
The governor's boat takes also his assistant, Isaac 
Allerton, and Captain Myles Standish. Those on 
the ship, crowding along the jrail, see the boats 
coming to them over the laughing wavelets, and 
recognizing one after another of the men as they 
come alongside, laugh in reply as they wave. 

There has beefli written some charming verses 
descriptive of the arrival in this country of the 
foreign girls who married members of the A. E. F. 
of the recent war. The conclusion fits well with 
that scene of nearly three hundred years ago : 



126 The Women of the Mayflower 

"They loved our heroes well enough 
To leave all else besides 
And make America their own, 
So welcome home the brides." 

Yes, and wives, too. The ship's band, if there had 
been one, might well have played the tune of 
"Sweethearts and Wives," while Plymouth's drum 
and fife could have replied with "Haste to the 
Wedding," or "Here Comes the Bride." 

When the excitement had subsided a little, in a 
few days time, the Brewster girls had the interesting 
event of a wedding in their home, for their old 
friend, Priscilla married the young man of her 
choice, whom they had never seen, until they came 
to Plymouth. There was little wherewith to make a 
wedding feast, but, at least a health could be given 
the bride and bridegroom in the elderblow wine, 
made a year before. 

Indeed the great shock to the newcomers was the 
condition of affairs in the colony — the thinness, 
paleness and weakness of all, from want of sufficient 
food. The governor recalls for many a day the em- 
barrassment felt by the Pilgrims that so little could 
be offered to the new arrivals, only fish and cold 
water. But the Aniie, unlike the Fortune, brought 
some supplies and necessaries, so the passengers were 
not a drain upon the colony as in the case of the 
Fortune, but, rather a great help. 

Following the example of John Alden, Francis 
Eaton took to himself a wife, thereby adding another 
to the number of married women among the original 
company. He wedded the only woman who has been 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 127 

without a name in the history of the Mayflower and 
of the colony, perhaps the only woman in history 
who, being mentioned several times, has always been 
nameless. Of course she had a name and was called 
by it by her contemporaries, but seek as we may, 
she is designated only for us as *'Mrs Carver's 
maid." For Francis Eaton she stayed, when she 
might have returned with Desire Minter; for him 
and his baby boy, left motherless, in the first winter, 
who had been looked after by plain but kind-hearted 
Eleanor Billington. 

A passenger by the Anne whom we know, the 
wealthy widow, Mrs. Alice Southworth, brought her 
maid — but she was Christian Penn, and she mar- 
ried Francis Eaton for his third wife in after years, 
as the second Mrs. Eaton (we are glad to give her a 
name for once), did not live long. 

The Anne stayed at Plymouth over a month — a 
witness of the several marriages which she had 
brought about, directly and indirectly. 

Alice Carpenter — the lovely English girl, going 
with her family into voluntary exile in Leyden, 
marrying there and afterwards living, a prosperous 
matron of London, as Alice Southworth, then cross- 
ing the sea, a widow, to become a bride again, this 
time of a Colonial governor, living thereafter as 
Alice Bradford, an adornment of the community 
about her and a great factor in its peace and prog- 
ress — weaves one of the bright threads of romance 
through the story of the women of Plymouth. The 
governor's marriage to the charming widow was 



128 The Women of the Mayflower 

indeed an important event in the life of the village. 
Somewhat of a surprise to all but a few, was the 
announcement of the coming marriage of the Cap- 
tain to an old friend, who had come out in company 
with Mrs. Southworth, for the same reason, in an- 
swer to a proposal of marriage, by letter. Then fol- 
lowed another wedding, of special interest to all the 
first comers by the Mayflower and to many of the 
recent arrivals, that of big John Rowland with little 
Elizabeth Tilly, as she always seemed to her old 
friends, though quite grown up now and Hearing 
seventeen. John Rowland had patiently waited, a* 
other men. Thus, by the coming of the Anne, bring- 
ing her own dear daughters, after three years of 
separation, Mary Brewster was able to smile at the 
departure of two of her loving daughters of adver- 
sity, to homes of their own. In this practical and 
primitive life, no honeymoons could be thought of. 
Plymouth, itself, then lay within the radius of a 
quarter of a mile and there was not another civilized 
habitation in hundreds of leagues, so the only wed- 
ding journey of these Mayfloiver girls, Priscilla and 
Elizabeth, was from Elder Brewster's doorway to 
their own new homes; one down, one up the street. 
We know that these girls had in addition to the lov- 
ing interest of Mary Brewster, the affectionate en- 
couragement of Susanna Winslow and the warm 
friendship of their girl companions of Leyden and 
of Plymouth, Fear and Patience Brewster, Mary 
Chilton and Humility Cooper — priceless wedding 
gifts — nor lacking was the regard of the governor's 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 129 

wife, a contemporary bride and old friend of Ley- 
den days. 

Of these marriages we have not a sketch in the 
written history of those days, except in the new 
book brought by the Anne for the colony's records, 
and the first entries, most appropriately, are these. 
And that the Fortune might be represented in the 
weddings of this season, as well as the Mayflower 
an Anne, the widow, Mrs. Ford, proceeded to take 
a second husband, in the person of Peter Brown, 
one of the sturdy and loyal men of the colony, who 
had come in the Mayflower. 

The doctor's young wife, Bridget; Richard War- 
ren's daughters, as well as their mother, and Hester 
Cooke and Juliana Morton, all arrivals by the Anne, 
hardly realized at first the sombre background 
of the life against which these marriages shone out 
for the first comers. To them it seemed they had 
arrived in a land of weddings and happiness — 
though lack of feasting and trousseaux was somewhat 
evident. Another interested on-looker, is the aunt 
of Remember and Mary, Isaac AUerton's sister, 
whom we knew in Leyden as Sarah Priest, but, 
widowed the first winter after her husband arrived 
at the new home he was to prepare for her, she 
nevertheless came to Plymouth with a new hus- 
band, whom she had recenly married in Leyden, and 
now she is Sarah Cuthbertson. She brought the little 
sister of the Allerton children, Sarah, who had been 
left in her care, but did not give up charge of her. 

The augmented motion and sounds on Plymouth's 



130 The Women of the Mayflower 

street, under the September sky was apparent. 
Many women had come; numerous children were 
there; the men's families were forming new house- 
holds; strangers getting accustomed to one another 
and surroundings ; friends renewing old ties — the 
newcomers feeling a bit lost, nevertheless. 

The life, such as it had been, for the Mayflower 
passengers was over. That time, within the three 
years from their departure on the Speedwell from 
Delfshaven, to their welcome of the Anne, at Plym- 
outh, was a thing apart. 



BENEATH THE PINES OF PLYMOUTH. 



BENEATH THE PINES OF PLYMOUTH. 

The Anne, laden with lumber, furs and mail, 
sailed in September, carrying also an important pas- 
senger; Susanna Winslow had to spare her husband 
for a time, while he went to England on the colony's 
business and his own affairs. However, her cares 
now were somewhat lessened by the coming in the 
Anne of a young women, named Mary Becket, to 
assist in her household labors. Since his other aunt 
had come, by the Anne, to live in Plymouth, little 
Samuel Fuller went back to the doctor's house to 
grow up. Bridget Fuller came with the baby, who 
was too delicate to make the voyage in the May- 
flower, now three years old, and the doctor's sunny 
gentle spirit rejoiced. 

Following the Anne came a small ship called 
Little James, which was to remain for the colony's 
use. It proved of little use and great expense, after 
all, but it brought other Leyden friends, as well as 
strangers from England. Thus Plymouth grew, and 
this autumn saw about a hundred and eighty per- 
sons instead of the handful who had struggled for 
life and a home in the wilderness for the past three 
years. 

The new plan of individual division of the land 
with its planting and care proved its wisdom; the 
crops ripening rapidly, foretold an abundant bar- 



134 The Womeyi of the Mayflower 

vest; the lightening of hearts and the promising 
outlook caused the governor to proclaim a day of 
public thanksgiving. It was not after the manner 
of that of two years previously, as conditions were 
different, but more in remembrance of the day of 
supplication held in July. The dreaded visitor fam- 
ine, was gone, never to return to the firesides of 
Plymouth — although for some awful hours it 
seemed possible. On a wintry night, too great a 
fire on the hearth of one of the new houses, caused 
that house, and those nearest, to be consumed by 
flames and to threaten the Common House where 
their trading supplies and harvest were stored. 
Well that the Captain had prepared his original 
company to fight possible fire as well as possible 
hostile attack, for by those men was that tragedy 
averted, as, in the excitement and confusion, the 
majority of the new-comers were more of a hin- 
drance than help. The women must have felt that 
if cares and labors were somewhat decreased, respon- 
sibility and uncertainty were increased through the 
added numbers to the town. 

That winter was the gayest Plymouth had ever 
known. Families had been so lately reunited that 
the satisfaction and joy of the occasion still caused 
effervescence of spirits, and, too, there were many 
more young people who never had to live through 
the hard and perilous times which the first group 
experienced. These all had either homes to go to or 
loving friends to shelter them until homes were 
built ; no sickness to contend with and plenty to eat. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 135 

Where the comforts of all the men had depended 
more or less on a few women, now the hands of 
many women made all tasks lighter, and there was 
time for more social intercourse, which though in 
simplest form was sufficient then for relaxation and 
pleasure. No wonder happy voices were carried on 
the winter winds and light footsteps echoed on the 
street. Neighborliness being ever a characteristic 
of the Pilgrims, there was a constant exchange of 
goodwill and kindly attentions between the house- 
holds. They had not needed Robert Cushman's ad- 
monition in his discourse to them, before returning 
in the Fortune, "There is no grief so tedious as a 
churlish companion and nothing makes sorrows easy 
more than cheerful associates. Bear ye therefore 
one another's burdens and be not a burden one to 
another," but they did not ignore it. 

We may glance in the houses, on a frosty evening, 
and see who are sheltered within their cosy bright- 
ness and warmth. The governor's house has a large 
and merry party to hold, for he and his wife are 
entertaining for the winter, her sister, Juliana, with 
husband, George Morton and all the little Mortons: 
Patience, Nathaniel, John, Sarah, Ephraim and baby 
George ; also a regular member of the family, Thom- 
as Cushman. No wonder Christian Penn was in 
demand. 

In the Brewster home, across the way, the Elder 
and his wife have also lively company, with three 
sons, the dear daughters, and Mary Chilton and 
Humility Cooper and Richard More. Thomas 



136 The Women of the Mayflower 

Prence, John Winslow, Philip de la Noye and half 
a dozen more of the young men drop in of an even- 
ing, with four attractive girls and charming hostess 
to welcome them, and even an older man occasional- 
ly, as when Isaac Allerton brings his daughter over 
to join in the fun; though he appears only to talk 
to the Elder he glances at one of the girls, some- 
times. Patience has her little flax wheel at one side 
of the room under a candle bracket and the whir 
of the wheel makes a background for the voices. 
Thomas Prence is beside her mightily interested in 
the spinning, as the product is for his sweetheart's 
hope chest. The Brewster girls have brought a 
supply of new linens to their mother, from Holland, 
and indeed all the housekeepers are well supplied 
with this necessity, but constant usage wears out 
the best made and so more must be in readiness, 
therefore spinning is a regular occupation, especially 
for those with a wedding in mind. 

Susanna Winslow has company, also, this even- 
ing, for her brother, the cheerful doctor, and his 
young wife have been having supper with her and 
her young brothers-in-law. John has gone over to 
the Brewster's, but Gilbert, his handsome, rather 
discontented face lit by the fire, sits near the hearth, 
smoking, with the doctor and another man, for 
Sarah Cuthbertson has come in for an evening's 
gossip with her old friend, Anna, bringing her new 
husband. The three women have much to talk of — 
matters both grave and gay — and the new-comers 
from Leyden are doing most of the chatter, Susanna 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 137 

well pleased to listen, commenting occasionally on 
the narration of who had married or moved away 
and such items of interest as would accumulate in 
three years, with infrequent opportunities of com- 
munication. 

John Rowland and his Elizabeth go in the door- 
way of the Alden 's house for a social call — and find 
Francis Cooke and his wife, Hester, there, also, and 
soon after, the Captain and his wife, Barbara, enter, 
and there is laughter and chat, while the women's 
fingers ply the knitting needles, for even in recrea- 
tion moments the women can seldom afford to be 
wholly idle, Hester is an old Leyden friend to 
Priscilla and Elizabeth, though not of English birth, 
while Barbara is a new friend to them all, Hester 
having made her acquaintance on the sea voyage 
which brought them both to Plymouth. Francis 
Cooke had a comfortable house awaiting his wife and 
children, and Hester, naturally, quite fitted in with 
the first comers. 

In the large house of the Hopkins, we see a num- 
ber of the youngest inhabitants of Plymouth having 
a very jolly time — Giles and Constance being re- 
sponsible. Here are Mary and Bartholomew AUer- 
ton, John and Jane Cooke, Patience Morton and 
Thomas Cushman, Ann and Sarah Warren, William 
Palmer and Samuel Jenny, even Jacob Cooke and 
Damaris Hopkins are admitted, also Mercy Sprague, 
Samuel Fuller, Resolved White and Sarah Annable, 
for at these children's parties the early hours kept 
could not rob even the youngest of much sleep. We 



138 The Women of the Mayflower 

know how many of the future marriages in Plym- 
outh came from this gay group. Stephen Hopkins 
and his wife have gone out themselves and we sec 
them in the home of Richard Warren, whose wife 
and daughter Mary, having gotten the youngest 
girls, Elizabeth and Abigail, in bed are glad to wel- 
come company. Two of their fellow passengers in 
the Anne are also present, one being Robert Bartlett, 
whose interest in Mary began on their ocean voyage, 
which has a very modern sound. The other visitor 
is Ellen Newton, who came out with these friends, 
and is soon to marry John Adams, who preceded her 
in the Fortune. 

Here is another gathering at the home of John 
and Sarah Jenny, who, with their three children, 
arrived on the Little Jeimes, they are of the old Ley- 
den company; also we see here Stephen Tracy and 
Triphosa, his French wife and their little girl, 
Sarah, who has come to have a frolic with her play- 
mates, Abigail and Sarah, while the parents are ab- 
sorbed in their ow'n affairs; they are soon joined 
by William Palmer (who came with his son in the 
Fortune) and his wife, Frances, a passenger in the 
Anne. The happy-go-lucky, or unlucky, household 
of the Billingtons is evidently satisfied with its own 
family this evening. 

And to look further we see other homes whose 
inmates are strangers to us, though not to all of 
our earlist acquaintances, such as Francis and Anna 
Sprague, whose little girl, Mercy, is at the Hopkins, 
this evening; Anthony and Jane Annable, their 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 139 

oldest child we have also seen at the party but Sarah 
and Hannah are at home; Ralph Wall en and Joyce, 
his wife, Edward and Rebecca Bangs, with two 
children romping at home; Robert Hicks with Mar- 
garet and three children; also Mr. and Mrs. Edward 
Burcher, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flavell and Mr. and 
Mrs. William Hilton and little boys (all of the latter 
arrived by the Anne) besides numerous single men 
of the Fortune, Anne and Little James, who are 
quite' welcome at the different houses. With so many 
young men, the girls had numbers to choose from, 
as each would have been glad for a wife and home 
of his own. Light refreshments add to the social 
hour we see, possets and manchets with home-brewed 
ale, and nuts, or the beverage made of roots, flavored 
with sassafras, similar to modern root beer, and pop- 
corn — both the latter Indian additions to their 
knowledge. The possets and manchets are little 
cakes, the former sometimes called "sweet shrub" 
made of flour, sugar and spice, while manchets are 
flour, made without the spice and baked brown like 
our cookies. 

Having thus seen who is who in Plymouth by the 
lights of the houses, "shining like stars in the dark 
and mist of the evening," we will observe some pass- 
ing events, from this time, which were of interest to 
the women, either for themselves or members of their 
families or friends. 

This happy winter passed into their history, 
and spring coming found the Plymouth people 
with hearts more in tune to the joy and hope of 



140 The Women of the Mayflower 

its opening buds and bird songs than ever before. 

On a March day, the first ship of the season 
from England came into view. If one has ever lived, 
in modern times, far from native land and many 
dear friends, as on island possessions, for instance, 
in civil or military life, with ships coming safely 
to harbor, the only chance of communication with 
the outside world, bringing letters, packages of gifts 
or a friend or two, perchance, with weeks or months 
of interval between sight of a ship from overseas, 
one may easily comprehend just how the women of 
Plymouth felt when a ship was coming in. And 
though the women did not write or receive letters 
very often, in those days, yet they heard the contents 
of those which frequently came to their husbands 
and could think and talk of the tidings for many a 
day. 

The Charity brought Susanna Winslow's husband 
home to her and to his welcoming friends. His mis- 
sion had been eminently successful and proved the 
adage of "If you want a thing done well, do it your- 
self," for Winslow knowing each need of the colony, 
brought back the proper supplies for trade with ths 
Indians or the fishing ships, and adequate selection 
of clothing for all. Having a wife, he knew what 
to buy for the women, and what the children needed, 
besides special commissions in way of books or 
household comforts as they existed, at that time, 
elsewhere. The colony was not rich — either as a 
whole or by individual wealth — but though bearing 
a heavy debt to the Merchants, they had to live 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 141 

while every effort was being made to reduce the 
original, and the Merchants were usually willing to 
add to their obligation, especially since their ex- 
ports were so marketable. Also some of the families 
had personal credit in England, even though for 
several years the results of their trade went to re- 
duce the common debt, and the only personal gain 
allowed in Plymouth was from selling the products 
of their own lands to one another. Corn was legal 
tender, nothing else was needed or of greater value 
to them or the natives, until a later date. Therefore 
the Elder, the Governor, the Captain, could rejoice 
in more books, the women in the last word of costume 
detail from London or Leyden suitable to their 
present situation. We are quite sure that Mary 
Chilton, Patience Brewster and the other girls, as 
well as the young brides, were just as particular 
about the set of a broad brimmed hat, or the ribbons 
on a velvet hood, as interested in whether white neck- 
wear had bows or tassels to fasten it, and if silver 
shoe buckles were engraved or plain, as any woman 
of today in her up-to-date appearance. 

In addition to the many personal interests con- 
nected with Edward Winslow's return, he had pur- 
chased several head of cattle, and the children 
watched with greatest curiosity — and some alarm 
to those who had never seen such creatures — the 
approach of the small boats from the ship with ropes 
trailing behind attached to the horns and necks of 
the cows, swimming valiantly to their new home. 
Their familiar appearance brought an increased 



142 The Women of the Mayflower 

home feeling to the women. From that day milk 
was never lacking for beverage, butter, and cheese; 
goat's milk was no longer their only supply. 

And of great interest to many was a certain book 
which Winslow had written and had printed that 
winter, in London, called "Good News From New 
England." This publication which threw the pic- 
ture of themselves and their surroundings sharply 
before the eyes of many on the screen of public in- 
telligence, in England, was a factor in their lifo 
thereafter by its results. Business for the colony 
was not concluded at the time Winslow wished to 
return to Plymouth, and, as he brought letters re- 
questing his further presence, to continue these 
matters, the governor agreed to his leaving them 
again, and Susanna could do nothing but consent 
also. 

The Charity remained for fishing, throughout the 
summer, which was crowded with events of moment. 
In response to appeals from the Pilgrims in Plym- 
outh to the Merchants in London that their pastor, 
John Robinson, be sent to them with others of their 
number from Leyden, the Merchants had made ex- 
cuses. The Anne brought affectionate letters from 
Robinson but not his longed-for presence. To their 
great surprise, therefore, in company with "Winslow, 
on the Charity, there came a stranger whom the Mer- 
chants had decided should be the colony's religious 
head. In vain had "Winslow argued and pleaded for 
Robinson, knowing what a disappointment this 
would be. This minister brought his wife and 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 143 

children and at first seemed well disposed toward 
the Pilgrims, so they accepted what they could not 
help and allowed him a seat on the Council board — 
for now there were several assistants to the governor 
— and requested him to act as associate with their 
elder, but although he declared himseK a convert to 
the Separatist church, they did not admit him to the 
position of their pastor. A more acceptable com- 
panion on this home-coming of Winslow's was a 
clever and likable young carpenter, who did them 
good service. 

In the early summer, Ellen Newton married John 
Adams, which was of interest to those who had 
crossed with her in the Anne, and kindly observed 
by others. In midsummer, two new comers brought 
rejoicing and pleasure to many. In the governor's 
family arrived the baby who received the name of 
William, which had also been given to his father, 
grand-father and great-grandfather. Into John and 
Priscilla Alden's home came Elizabeth, called the 
first born daughter of the Pilgrims. As one writer 
has expressed it, "She was destined to outlive every 
individual then in the colony and to survive the 
colony itself by twenty-five years." 

In August, just about a year from the time of the 
arrival of the Anne, another of her passengers be- 
came a bride, making the eighth in the colony during 
the twelve-month. This wedding was of special in- 
terest, not only because it was the first in a promi- 
nent family, but because of the popularity of the 
bride and the groom and the affection and esteem 



144 The Women of the Mayflower 

in which the parents were held. Plymouth rejoiced 
when Patience Brewster married Thomas Prence, 
and her mother felt that she then had all that heart 
could wish for. With tall, affectionate sons and lov- 
ing daughters, one going to a home of her own, but 
not away, and, beside her, the handsome lover of her 
youth as her devoted husband, sharing her feelings 
on this important day; a home with all comforts 
then obtainable; among admiring friends as of old, 
Mary Brewster sighed in happy content. Plymouth 
had returned to her the pleasures of Scrooby with- 
out its later uncertainties and trials. And Patience, 
a reflection of her mother's early fairness and charm, 
was as radiant a bride as New England's sun ever 
lighted on a wedding day. Her young husband was 
to steadily advance in the esteem of the colony and 
in material position, reaching the important place of 
governor in a few years. Thus destiny had woven 
for her life a beautiful pattern, with childhood in 
Scrooby, girlhood in Leyden, womanhood in Plym- 
outh, with love and tender care to lighten all her 
days. A bright particular star in the galaxy of 
women of Plymouth colony who were not of the May- 
floiver company, but who found their life's fulfill- 
ment there. 

Plymouth society had grown enough to be no 
longer the one and indivisible association welded to- 
gether by common experiences and mutual interests, 
as it was at first. With the advent of those uncon- 
nected with the original pioneers and their objects, 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 145 

who came as friends of the Merchants or as ad- 
venturers to a new but firmly established country, 
caring nothing for its interests, rather hoping to 
throw over what the first comers had won by their 
courage and faith (of firm government and laws, 
freedom of conscience and liberality for those of 
differing views, and united labor for prosperity and 
peace) came a change; a division was felt between 
the group with the anarchist spirit and that com- 
prising the original element. Regretting this, but 
forced to acknowledge it by definite unpleasantness 
between them, the first families began to live within 
their own circle as much as possible. Stirring scenes 
took place, as autumn began, and the women had 
much to discuss. The governor was forced to make 
the issue and in upholding law and order to dismiss 
certain members of the community, though their 
families were allowed to stay and were cared for 
until new homes could be procured elsewhere. Chief 
among these disturbers of Plymouth's peace were 
a group who had come in the Anne, under leadership 
of one, John Oldham, and the hypocritical minister, 
Lyford, who was a sad disappointment to these 
charitably inclined people. The recital of this expe- 
rience has been given in many of the writings which 
concern the men of Plymouth — the * ' Pilgrim 
Fathers," so often mentioned. The element of un- 
rest being removed, other persons, not harmful but 
formerly indifferent only, became loyal supporters 
of the commonwealth ; so calmness again settled over 
Plymouth when the first snow flakes draped the 



146 The Women of the Mayflower 

rugged pines, standing as sentinels or guardians for 
this little world, between the wilderness and the sea. 

The winter was much like the one preceding it, 
with two new young housekeepers and the prospect 
of other brides. Susanna Winslow was again with- 
out her husband, and Gilbert had decided to revisit 
his old home — accompanying his brother to Eng- 
land, never to return. Matchmakers would gladly 
have mated him with one of the colony's belles. One 
wonders, even at this distant day, why this eligible 
young bachelor did not marry, what woman touched 
his heart? Pity he had not asked Desire to stay; 
perhaps it was she that was the something Plymouth 
lacked for him; or did he admire Mary Chilton's 
graces of mind and person, yet leave her for his 
brother John's happiness? Fancies play around a 
possible answer to this passing question among the 
many love stories that we know in Plymouth, which 
culminated for the principals, as fairy tales, in subse- 
quent happiness. 

Grey days and golden passed over Pljinouth, 
each one finding the women busy with the successive 
round of household duties and industries, not ended 
with the sunset gun as the men's labors might be. 
Let us look at a list of occupations which kept them 
from idleness in each season of the year: candle- 
making, pickling eggs, preserve and cordial making, 
distilling of herbs, ale or beer making, manufacture 
of soap, laundrying, dying cloths and yarns, braid- 
ing mats of rushes, sweeping and sanding floors, 
cleaning wooden and iron utensils, scouring and 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 147 

polishing pewter, brass and silver articles, pounding 
corn, butter and cheese making, cooking, weaving, 
spinning, sewing, drying wet shoes by placing hot 
oats in them, or clothes — storm soaked — by blaz- 
ing logs on the hearth (for umbrellas and overshoes 
were then unknown) and teaching the boys and 
girls. It was not until a later day that there were 
schools for the children, and as it had been in Eng- 
land, .so in their new home, their learning was ob- 
tained from their elders. Some had brought what 
books they could; nearly all brought Bibles in sev- 
eral languages, Psalm-books and Catechisms, and 
before long, the almanacs proved a most useful 
factor in home education. 

Moments of recreation and rest were evidently 
somewhat rare, but no less enjoyable, lighter occu- 
pations serving the purpose at home or when visit- 
ing. Can we not see them on many a winter evening 
by the firelight of blazing cedar logs and candle glow 
from the dips made in the autumn, with the fine em- 
broidery and knitting in which the women of their 
day and training took such pride; or placing the 
stitches in the samplers which were to take the place 
of pictures on the bare walls, also making designs 
in colored threads upon the sets of curtains for 
beds or windows ; meanwhile talking together of past 
days in their old homes — of the friends left there 
whom they were hopefully expecting to join them, 
showing keepsakes and telling their personal value 
to amuse one another. 

Doubtless their greatest peace and pleasure came 



148 The Women of the Mayflower 

from singing songs as they had done in Pastor Rob- 
inson's house, looking out on the beautiful old 
garden in Leyden. The book from which they sang 
has been described in the poem we all know : 
"The well-worn psalm book of Ainsworth 

Printed in Amsterdam, the words and music to- 
gether, 

Rough-hewn, angular notes, like stones in the wall 
of a church-yard 

Darkened and overhung by the running vine of the 
verses. ' ' 
Such was the book, the delight of the Pilgrim 
women, for in that country of few books, not onl}'' 
did its pages afford their only music, but the anno- 
tations formed both a dictionary and encyclopedia 
of useful knowledge; things temporal and things 
spiritual were explained, scientific, historical and 
religious information was dispensed therein. Truly 
a library in a single volume. 

Spring again, and the day of Edward Winslow's 
return found the town in excitement and the women 
decidedly disturbed. John Oldham had come sud- 
denly amongst them, for no other purpose than to 
revile and insult the authorities. They had im- 
prisoned him and were later getting rid of him in 
a chastened mood, when Winslow and the captain 
of the ship, which had brought him unnoticed into 
the harbor, walked up the street. John Oldham sur- 
prised them yet again, at a later day, but then re- 
turned to make amends and apologies, and to offer 
services, which the authorities were able to accept. 
And this man, with the upsetting propensities, met 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 149 

a violent death at the hands of Indians in Massachu- 
setts bay — his boat was rescued and his death 
avenged by Captain John Gallup, Senior, of Boston. 
This event has been called the first naval engagement 
of American history, and in it were the seeds of the 
Pequot war. 

As John Oldham's boat put out from the harbor, 
and the boats from the Jacob landed the colony's 
supplies and Winslow's belongings, the unpleasant- 
ness was soon forgotten in welcoming him and the 
popular captain, William Pierce, now an old friend, 
by his frequent visits to Plymouth with various 
ships. One special parcel Edward Winslow de- 
livered with care to the governor's wife. It was a 
gift to her of a package of spices from her old friend, 
Robert Cushman, in London. 

The bountiful summer was enjoyed in ''peace and 
health and contented minds." We may think of the 
women in their gardens tending lovingly the plants 
grown from seeds carefully brought from other 
gardens, far away, where memories must have been 
tended as well as flowers. Those who would, might 
join the children and dogs in walks on the sea 
shore and in the woods, bringing to their homes 
decorations in the form of flowers and shells. One 
writer has said, "The first ornaments of the houses 
were probably the periwinkle shells, their memory 
deserves to be cherished like the arbutus flower 
among the things that awaken Pilgrim memories." 

The first quickly built dwellings were now solidi- 
fied into comfortable houses, various rooms being 



150 The Women of the Mayflower 

added from time to time, with furniture colony-made 
or imported; the ground plots around them were 
kept attractively, some of them being washed by the 
bubbling waters of Town Brook, as it flowed past, 
and most of them enclosed with palings or wooden 
walls, against which fruit trees and vines were 
trained, as in kitchen gardens of the old country. 
Sometimes at day's close, it was possible to watch or 
partake in the old English game of stool-ball, a 
distant cousin of croquet. 

An evening in late summer beautifies the land- 
scape with its serene light. Through the garden be- 
hind the house, Mary Brewster walks with her 
daughters. They come toward the brook and pause 
to enjoy their surroundings. From the woodland 
across the stream the purple and golden flowers 
of the season bend toward them in the lightest of 
airs; the robins fly from bush to tree, preparing to 
rest. We seem to feel with them the remembrance 
of another scene of a summer evening long passed, 
when these three walked down through the grounds 
of Scrooby Manor to Ryton Stream to say farewell. 
But Town Brook does not see the same expression 
of sadness and uncertainty among them as Ryton 
saw; the long shafts of illuminating light reveal 
countenances where only satisfaction and tranquility 
dwell. 

The kitchen at the Winslow's presents a lively 
scene this autumn morning. The Mistress and Mary 
Becket are in the depths of preparations for a feast 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 151 

and not an ordinary one. Susanna is registering 
great cheerfulness and Mary decided efficiency. Two 
important causes may be found both for the' feast 
and good spirits. First, the master of the house 
returned yesterday from a somewhat hazardous but 
extremely successful trading trip far up the coast. 
The principal men of the old set were with him, so 
several other wives were also rejoicing at the re- 
turn. . The great quantity of beaver would make who 
would, a fur coat for the coming winter, like those 
the Indian women wore so comfortably. And as for 
Mary — why George Soule had told her last evening 
that she was the only woman for him, and indeed 
she would not be as long making up her mind on 
that subject as Mary Chilton had been in making 
up hers on a like matter. All of which shows that 
an elaborate cooking program was a small matter 
this morning. And the feast? Why, it is to be a 
supper party in compliment to Mary Chilton and 
John Winslow who have recently become engaged. 
The date hinged on Edward Winslow 's return, but it 
had been thoroughly planned when he left. George 
Soule had been shooting one day and brought home 
a number of plump birds and a pair of wild turkeys. 
These two are not the sole occupants of the kitch- 
en, for others come and go. George Soule keeps up 
the noble fire by adding great oak sticks to the 
andirons in the mammoth fire-place and adjusting 
the multitude of hooks and chains and cooking uten- 
sils as they are needed. From the crane, big iron 
kettles exhale delicious odors, while numerous 



152 The Women of the Mayflower 

skillets hold different important positions, the con- 
tents of each cooking at its appointed degree of heat, 
while on the high mantle shelf above, the hour glass 
is watched and turned. As the great oven door is 
opened, what fragrance! Simmels, buns, biscuits 
and pastry and what besides! Enter an Indian 
with a bag of oysters specially ordered, since none 
are in Plymouth waters ; they are to be baked in 
individual scallop shells, in the old, yet familiar way, 
with breadcrumbs and butter. Mrs. Hopkins comes 
with the kindly object of showing just how she 
manufactures on rare occasions her wonderful dish 
called "Hennes in Brette." The hens must be 
scalded and cut in pieces, fried lightly with pork, 
spice and crumbs, basted with ale, and colored gold 
with saffron. The turkeys are stuffed with beechnuts 
and will be roasted on the spit. A plum pudding is 
bubbling in one of the kettles, and dumplings of flour 
in another, to garnish the chicken dish ; pumpkin 
pies are made and standing aside, so too, loaves of 
brown and white bread. Vegetables await their turn 
— samp, onions, parsnips, turnips, peas; the succo- 
tash is mixed, composed of corn, beans and meat. A 
ham is boiling, likewise clam chowder. Mary pulls 
a pan out of the oven — the nokake is done to a 
turn! 

Edward and John "Winslow have thoughtfully 
been asked for dinner by Mrs. Bradford — there 
could hardly be much chance for them at home, this 
day. Afternoon comes on apace and there is much 
for the last part for Susanna and the last moments 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 153 

for Mary and Hobomok's wife, who will help in the 
evening. The leg of mutton, rarest treat, with 
cucumber sauce, or couch, for the mutton to rest on 
is certainly perfection; the cucumbers, sliced and 
parboiled have drained, then butter fried, now, 
with condiments, onion, mutton gravy and lemon 
juice they are simmering gently, occasionally tossed 
about. A poloc, or stew of small birds, smothered 
with rice, onion and herbs, adds another to the won- 
derful combination of fragrance. And now come the 
partridges — a broth of boiled marrow bones, 
strained and put in an earthen dish with wine and 
spices is the delectable fluid in which they are 
cooked, the birds having been stuffed with whole 
peppers and marrow. Salad, cranberry tarts, grape 
jelly, pudding with strawberry sauce, and a marve- 
lous suflflet, rich, frothing and crisp, (a pound roll of 
butter enlarged to half a dozen times its original 
size, from being turned on a long rod resting on the 
fire hooks, continuously dredged with flour and eaten 
as soon as possible.) Late in the day, Mrs. Warren 
comes in to direct the making of her special dish, 
another of the rarities, called cheese cake ; boiled milk 
with beaten eggs has been cooling and curdling since 
last evening, it is now strained and to it added but- 
ter, mace, rose-water and wine, currants and syrup. 
Pastry forms are waiting to hold this combination 
for a few seconds in the oven. Elderblow wino 
(made by the old French receipt the women had 
learned on the Continent, of sugar, fruit, blossoms 
and yeast), cider, spiced ale and some of the excel- 



154 The Women of the Mayflower 

lent wine which Edward Winslow brought on his 
return from England, are to help digest this marve- 
lous menu — and of great interest are the first ap- 
ples from the Winslow 's new orchard, likewise honey 
from Plymouth bees, a recent industry. 

Truly a feast — yet when it was ready, Susanna 
met her guests with smiles, and renewed the admira- 
tion in the heart of her prospective young sister-in- 
law. Those who partook of this supper and lived to 
tell the tale were the old friends, of course, for Mary 
Chilton was ever a favorite and one of the Mayflower 
girls, so none of that list could be omitted, (Cap- 
tain Standish on a mission in England, was missed), 
and now that there was so large a younger set com- 
ing on to take the place of those who had married, 
many of them must be invited, besides the recent 
brides and bridegrooms, themselves, and one or two 
of John Winslow 's joyous and special friends of the 
Fortune who might still be fancy free, but could not 
be omitted on that account. That this invigorating 
occasion was a success there is no doubt, and marked 
a crest of the life of those first five years of the 
Pilgrims in Plymouth. 

Days go on, no matter how bright, they may not 
be held. In a few years, changes — as ever. 

We may look at a scene on another crisp autumn 
morning. It is Sunday and there is stillness in the 
town. Suddenly the drum rolls and people come 
from their houses to assemble for the morning wor- 
ship in the fort. The guard has formed in front of 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 155 

the house of Captain Standish. Led by a sergeant, 
in rows of three abreast, followed by the Governor, 
the Elder, and the Captain, all wearing cloaks and 
carrying arms, they march silently up the hill. The 
rest of the population who may be going to the serv- 
ice this morning are ready to proceed also, for, un- 
like the severity of the rule from which these people 
fled, church attendance was expected but not com- 
pulsory. There are extra colors and numbers this 
morning. The town is entertaining a distinguished 
guest whose visit is to mark that tide in their affairs 
which, owing to their readiness to take at the flood, 
is to lead them on to fortune. Plymouth frequently 
entertains strangers, but this rotund, handsomely 
dressed gentleman, with the sharp eyes seeing all 
about him, with his several retainers and trumpeters, 
who walk on each side of him, though no notes are 
sounded this morning, is of more importance than 
any whom Plymouth has received. He represents 
the first foreign mission for commercial and personal 
benefits, and is the Secretary of the Dutch colony, 
five hundred miles to the southward, Isaac de 
Easieres. 

The intercourse already satisfactorily begun by 
negotiations culminating in this visit, was to be of 
mutual benefit for many years. The boat from Man- 
hattan became a regularly welcomed bearer to 
Plymouth women of bright materials for clothes, 
sugar and other necessaries — in time quite the 
rival of a boat from England — the payment for 
these was by home grown tobacco, therefore nearly 



156 The Women of the Mayflower 

as interesting a crop as corn. Even the latter was to 
be replaced by something else as a medium of ex- 
change through the visit of Monsieur de Rasieres. 
Wampum, familiar word to us, but strange to Plym- 
outh people, was to make an important and perma- 
nent appearance, and to prove that shells on the 
shore were as a gold mine at the feet of the Pil- 
grims. 

The ceremonious assent to the fort is accom- 
plished, the congregation taking their places — the 
women on one side of the room, the men on the 
other, according to custom. To the visitor all is 
strange, new and interesting. "We rejoice in the days 
he spent in Plymouth, for the advantage which came 
to the Pilgrims and for the legacy which came to us 
in the form of his written accounts of his visit. 

As William Davidson, experienced statesman and 
courtier, in a long ago visit to Scrooby, opened a 
door of destiny through which it was appointed that 
William Brewster was to lead this people into a new 
world of liberty, so by this visit of Isaac de Rasieres, 
travelled man of the world, to Plymouth, another 
way was opened by which they were to reach, also 
prosperity and prominence. The portraits of these 
two men should hang as companion medallions in the 
hall of Pilgrim memory, as doubtless they did in the 
mind of William Brewster, himself having as much 
worldly experience as either, with the personal at- 
tractions of each; loved friend of one, respected 
acquaintance of the other. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 157 

At this time, the rather difficult role of step-moth- 
er was being played in three of the households. We 
know the families quite well, and are particularly 
interested in the women. The eldest in the position 
is Elizabeth Hopkins. If the part did not come 
easily to Stephen Hopkins' second wife, the respon- 
sibilities of it are now lessened, since Constance has 
recently added to the list of Mayflower brides by 
marrying Nicholas Snow and going to a home of her 
own. An impression seemed to prevail that Mistress 
Hopkins was rather jealous of her predecessor's son, 
Giles, on account of her own son, Caleb, yet it is 
through Giles only, that the name has been carried 
down to the present. Her four girls, Damaris, De- 
borah, Ruth and Elizabeth, made a lively home for 
any brother. Oceanus, born on the Mayflower, did 
not live beyond babyhood. The women of that day 
were just as human as of this, and amid all her 
fine qualities, if there was a little flaw, it no doubt 
came of her very fondness for her husband. 

Across the street, in the governor's house, Alice 
Bradford has three boys to share the love and inter- 
est with her own, and the devotion of four. We have 
already seen one of them, Thomas Cushman, left by 
his father with Governor Bradford, until he should 
return to live in Plymouth — but Myles Standish, 
returning from his mission to England, had brought 
with other regretful tidings, the knowledge that 
Robert Cushman would not come again. Another 
fatherless boy, whom we have had but a glimpse of, 
is Nathaniel Morton, nephew to Alice Bradford. 



158 The Women of the Mayflower 

George Morton lived but a short time as resident of 
Plymouth, leaving his wife and family alone in the 
new house, but the governor took Nathaniel to bring 
up as a son, and Juliana Carpenter Morton married 
again. The third boy is also fatherless in actual 
sense ; he has recently come to Plymouth, but to the 
most loving mother and affectionate step-father boy 
could desire, for this is Constant Southworth come 
from London to his new home in the governor's 
house in Plymouth, as his mother had done, whom 
he strongly resembles in looks. And the fourth boy? 
He is not fatherless, but has only lately come to re- 
new both the acquaintance and affection of his pa- 
rent, being John Bradford, from Amsterdam, young- 
est of the quartette, and seeing him we are reminded 
of his girl mother, the governor's first wife. This 
group is soon to be added to by Thomas Southworth, 
whom his mother is expecting from England. We 
can imagine these boys having a pretty good time 
in the loving home of the Bradfords, and among 
them grew up the three babies, half brothers and 
half sister to John Bradford and the Southworth 
boys — only one girl to amuse and tease them 
through the years of childhood, the governor's 
daughter, Mercy. Although step-mother to but one, 
the part had no chance for prominence with Alice 
Bradford, in being at the same time aunt to one, 
friend to another and mother to five. Perhaps it 
was because of this masculine element at home, that 
Mistress Bradford was known for her special inter- 
est in the young girls of the colony — daughters of 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 159 

her neighbors and playmates of her Mercy, such 
advantages and accomplishments as she had, she 
taught them. No wonder she welcomed her hus- 
band's suggestion of having her youngest sister, 
Priseilla Carpenter, come from England to make her 
home with them. 

Another woman, of the style and character of 
Alice Bradford, the third and youngest step-mother, 
making such a success in her position as to prove 
her the good angel of the family into which she 
came, is Fear Brewster — now Mrs. Isaac Allerton. 
She already had the love of Bartholomew, Remember 
and Mary — quite grown out of childhood, but they 
must have been as surprised as the rest of the so- 
ciety of Plymouth that their father could win her 
for his wife, as he was so much older than she and 
always seeming rather preoccupied and self-satis- 
fied. It speaks well for him that such was the case 
and that her attachment and loyalty never wavered 
through the brief years of her married life — and 
that it was a shield to him from public criticism or 
censure is well known. This not only places her 
before us against a background of esteem for her- 
self, but in a reflection of the high regard and af- 
fection in which her father was held. Before matri- 
monial trials confronted her daughter, Mary Brew- 
ster, loved and loving, finished her pilgrimage ; the 
lack of her presence affected many lives, her absence 
was an abiding sorrow. Love of wealth seems sud- 
denly to have overtaken Isaac Allerton which made 
everything else of small importance. The pursuit 



160 The Woyncn of the Mayflower 

of it took him constantly and for long periods away 
from home, so his wife had little of his company. 
His talents were of use to the colony, at times, in 
England, but he seemed to really care very little 
for his old friends. Nevertheless, it was he who 
completed the arrangements which closed the con- 
nection between the original settlers of Plymouth 
and the Merchant Adventurers in London. Plym- 
outh, thereby, paid all its indebtedness for assistance 
given and went its way alone. He also procure<l 
patents for increased land holdings for the colony, 
especially in Maine. His complete indifference to 
anything but his own ends was, perhaps, never better 
shown than when he returned from one of his trips 
to England, bringing, as secretary, a man who was 
already too well and unfavorably known by Plym- 
outh and the surrounding settlements, called Mor- 
ton of Merry Mount, who had been sent to England 
the year before, as an undesirable. That Allerton 
could bring this man to his home, into the society 
of his wife and daughters, made Plymouth gasp — 
and Plymouth refused to stand it. The secretary 
was dismissed, and business affairs again called Isaac 
Allerton away. On one of his trips he took his son 
to visit in England, and Bartholomew did not re- 
turn to Plymouth. 

About this time, two girls of the Anne added to 
the procession of brides: Mary Warren marrying 
Robert Bartlett and Jane Cooke marrying Expe- 
rience Mitchell. 

Passengers and letters came on the ships contin- 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 161 

ually, both to Plymouth and the other settlements 
that were growing likewise. Persons desiring to 
come to the New World, took what ship they could 
and landed where the ship took them. Plymouth 
having boats could always send for their own voyag- 
ers and mail whenever word was received that a 
ship had come from the other side, though not to 
their harbor. Thus, one day, a letter came to Hu- 
mility Cooper, which changed the quiet current of 
her life as it seemed to be running in Plymouth. 
Relatives in England wanted her to return. This 
was a surprise to her and to her good friends, but, 
half wanting to stay and half wanting to go. Hu- 
mility prepared for leave taking. Henry Sampson, 
her cousin, was now grown up — she need feel no 
special reluctance — but she was Elizabeth How- 
land 's last link with her childhood's days. As Ed- 
ward Winslow was sailing shortly for England, on 
business for the colony, Humility said farewell to the 
ten years of Mayflower and Plymouth association 
and went back under his care. 

During her husband's absence, Susanna Wins- 
low's brother. Doctor Fuller, was also from Plym- 
outh. The new colonies of Salem and Massachusetts 
Bay, just starting, met with the same devastating 
illness that had befallen the Mayflower passen- 
gers, and, as they were so unfortunate as to lose 
their doctor among the first victims, they appeal- 
ed to Plymouth — and no appeal to Plymouth 
was ever in vain. Doctor Fuller went to Salem 
and the Bay and had great success in curing many, 



162 The Women of the Mayflower 

though nearly exhausting his supply of medicines. 

During this year, and the next, all the old friends 
still in Leyden, who had waited so long to come, 
were brought over at Plymouth's expense and there 
was great satisfaction that distance no longer divid- 
ed them. But the saintly Robinson was not among 
them. Five years earlier, the Pilgrim men and 
women grieved to learn that he would never come to 
them — his earthly labors having ceased. His wife 
and oldest son became his representatives in Plym- 
outh. 

Intercourse between Plymouth and the newly es- 
tablished colonial neighbors became frequent, lead- 
ing to interchange of visits and even of residence. 
The newcomers were duly sensible of what they 
owed to the Plymouth settlers, who had blazed the 
way. 

The opening of their second decade in the New 
"World showed great contrasts to those Plymouth 
women who remembered what the first year and 
those immediately following had been. Now, they 
were able to see and hear of the experiences of 
others, close at hand, with much in common. The 
ships from England were no longer their only con- 
nection with the outside world nor their only source 
of supplies, other than food. Massachusetts Bay and 
Salem were glad to exchange commodities, as well 
as Manhattan, but, being so much nearer, grew more 
interlocked with the life and interests of Plymouth. 

The ceremonial visit by the Governor and Assis- 
tants of Plymouth to the Governor of the Bay and 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 163 

his wife, with the return of like courtesies by Gover- 
nor Winthrop to Governor and Mrs. Bradford were 
brilliant incidents. Soon fashions, not clothes, and 
luxuries, not necessities, for the home were frequent 
thoughts to the women, instead of almost forgotten 
or sternly repressed instincts. Though they had 
not fashion books, some sent for garments and hats 
from the old country and the fortunate possessors 
lent these new fashioned articles as models for their 
neighbors. A very taking way of introducing styles 
to the colonists was by dressed dolls, or ''babies" as 
they were called, that displayed them in careful 
miniature. During recent seasons this idea has been 
re-introduced, as may be seen in some of the shop 
windows in our cities. We learn that, withal, there 
was sometimes a shortage of sugar, which strikes a 
responsive chord in the memory of housewives three 
hundred years later. 

If the arrival of the first cows was a never-to-be 
forgotten joy to the women of the Mayflower and 
of the Anne, the entrance of horses into Plymouth 
life was elation. The pleasure of owning a horse 
while it was a novelty for their circumstances, must 
have aroused the same feeling as the acquirement of 
an automobile has in families of our day; when not 
an owner, to have a special object of ambition, if a 
possessor, then a willing recipient of neighborly ad- 
miration. The advantage of a horse to a woman, 
then, was to ride on a pillion behind a male member 
of the family to meeting or to visit (until carriages 
came, much later), or else, if quite accomplished, to 



164 The Women of the Mayflower 

ride alone, often with children, baskets, or even a 
spinning wheel, as well, on the back of the amiable 
friend of the family. 

Ere long, life took on the virility and color we 
associate with that spectacular period known as 
Colonial. Naturally, Plymouth now began to over- 
flow its first boundaries. As the children of the 
families and worldly possessions increased, many 
made summer homes where the cattle could have 
greater range and families more room. These new 
houses were built quite in the manner of bungalows, 
for occupancy between frosts. Winters saw the 
Plymouth residences occupied again. Gradually, 
however, the summer homes became permanent, be- 
ing made habitable for winter also, and edifices for 
the religious services were erected. By another 
decade Plymouth Colony comprised several towns, 
outgrowths of the original. The new brides could 
make a wedding journey if they pleased, and some 
went away altogether to make their new homes. The 
governor's wife was especially interested in two of 
the weddings at this time — that of her sister, Pris- 
cilla Carpenter and her niece. Patience Morton. 
The former was soon a widow, and, like her sisters, 
married again. Patience became the mother of 
Thomas Faunce — a link between two centuries — 
the identifier, in his old age, of Plymouth Rock, 
telling to his and other generations what his parents 
had told to him, having learned from the first 
comers. 

Governor Bradford insisted that if the office he 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 165 

had held so long was an honor and satisfaction, 
others should share it, if it was a care and duty, 
others should experience its responsibilities also ; his 
health had been somewhat undermined by the efforts 
he had given to guide the temporal affairs of the 
colony throughout the years since he succeeded 
Governor Carver, and he absolutely declined a re- 
election. Edward Winslow, having returned from 
England, was chosen. 

Thus Susanna became the first lady of Plymouth ; 
easily pictured wearing the dainty white satin, lace 
trimmed slippers, or the white satin cape, actually 
to be seen now, in Plymouth, visible magic means of 
carrying us back to her days from the present. 
Alice Bradford smilingly relinquished her position 
to her friend and devoted her efforts to restoring 
her husband's health. Yet this twelve-month con- 
tained more of trial, anxiety and annoyance than 
the colony had experienced in many a year; it could 
not have been other than a sorrowful memory to 
Susanna. 

Early in the spring a strange swarm of large 
noisy flies came out of the ground — ate the young 
green things, and disappeared. Such had never 
been seen by the colonists and the Indians foretold 
sickness. This prophecy proved all too true and 
during the summer and autumn a devastating fever 
swept away a score or more of men, women and 
children ; some were of the new comers from Leyden, 
but the weight of the sadness was among the old 
families. Gentle Fear Brewster AUerton was laid 



166 The Women of the Mayflower 

to rest beside her mother, on Burial Hill, leaving her 
baby boy, Isaac, to her sorrowing father's care, who 
was spending the summer with his two unmarried 
sons on their farm in the country. Isaac AUerton's 
sister, Sarah Cuthbertson, was also a victim to the 
infection, likewise her husband. While Susanna 
Winslow was mourning these two friends, her 
brother, the doctor, after fighting the disease for the 
help of others, succumbed. This shock and loss to 
the colonists was felt not only in Plymouth — while 
in Plymouth grief was deep. This educated, 
Christian gentleman was sadly missed for many a 
year. What he was to the people can be easily 
imagined. His widow and children were devoted 
to his memory ; in after years, the son, Samuel, 
studied for the ministry and married a granddaugh- 
ter of Elder Brewster; the daughter, Mercy, mar- 
ried Ralph James; but his profession was carried 
on in the Old Colony, after a time, by his nephews — 
his namesake Samuel — whom we have known of 
since the Pilgrims' emigration from Holland — and 
Matthew, who came later to Plymouth. 

The business affairs of the Colony became compli- 
cated in their trade on the Connecticut River, both 
because of the Dutch and Indians. At home, Roger 
Williams, whom they had befriended, acted in a 
very unpleasant manner, so they were glad when he 
left them. Notwithstanding the clouds over-shadow- 
ing them, this year's return of the trade in furs was 
noteworthy, and as election time drew near, it was 
decided that it would be best for Edward Winslow 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 167 

to go again to England on their foreign business; 
therefore Thomas Prence was elected Governor and 
Susanna was again left alone with her children. 
The White boys were now sturdy, manly lads, a 
comfort and joy to Susanna and the admiration of 
their small brothers and sister, the Winslows. An- 
other brother-in-law, Kenelm, was a visitor in her 
home, and appearances indicated that he would re- 
main as a permanent resident of Plymouth. 

Several marriages occurred before a year closed. 
Ann Warren became Mrs. Thomas Little and her 
sister, Sarah, became Mrs. John Cooke, Jr. 

Recently a family of four girls had come to the 
colony with their father, William Collier, a wealthy 
merchant from London ; from among them one of 
the Brewster boys selected his wife and Sarah Col- 
lier went as Love's bride to the Duxbury home to 
try to bring cheerfulness to the three lonely men 
there and to help care for little Isaac Allerton, his 
mother's legacy to her family, until he should grow 
up. Remember Allerton married also, and was one 
of the girls who went away from Plymouth to a new 
home in Salem, leaving her sister Mary, to give their 
father such attention as he needed in his rare visits 
home. 

At this time, in Boston, eggs were three cents a 
dozen, milk one cent a quart, butter six and cheese 
five cents a pound, so housekeepers not caring for 
the somewhat higher prices in Plymouth, could send 
for butter or cheese at least, if they did not make it 
themselves, and felt economically inclined. 



168 The Women of the Mayflower 

In the early part of the new administration, when 
Patience Brewster Prence was mistress of- the execu- 
tive mansion (which was the Governor's own house, 
whichever one it was), certain affairs concerned two 
of the Plymouth women mightily, Priscilla Alden 
and Barbara Standish, but particularly the former, 
which was caused by the interference in Plymouth's 
affairs by Massachusetts Bay, through misrepresen- 
tation. John Alden putting into Boston from a trip 
to the Kennebec trading station, was held there and 
imprisoned until Plymouth should explain its con- 
nection with a shooting incident in which two men 
were killed at the station. The ship was allowed to 
return to Plymouth bringing the news of this cool 
proceeding, which, we can imagine made John Al- 
den 's wife anything but cool, and we can also think 
that the Governor was not allowed to delay in get- 
ting John Alden home to his family. To do so, 
Captain Myles Standish was dispatched to Boston, 
with the facts of the unpleasant incident at the 
trading station, which were so different from the 
representation w^hich the Bay authorities had re- 
ceived that John Alden was immediately set at 
liberty. We can appreciate the feelings of both 
Barbara and Priscilla as they looked for the return 
of the ship again. Barbara anxious for the success 
of her husband's efforts to release the husband of 
her friend, and Priscilla both indignant and wor- 
ried. However, the incident was happily concluded, 
though more than Priscilla were indignant in Plym- 
outh. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony . 169 

Later in the year, news came from London which 
caused the heart of Susanna to burn with indigna- 
tion in her turn, and for the same cause concerning 
her husband as had agitated Priscilla. Through the 
old jealousy of the Church authorities, on trumped 
up charges concerning the business on which Wins- 
low went to England, which was in behalf also cf 
the Bay, he was held for many weeks in the Fleet 
Street. prison. Fortunately friends were able to re- 
lease him — but it was some time before he was able 
to return to his family in Plymouth. 

Meanwhile Eleanor Newton Adams and Priscilla 
Carpenter Wright, both made widows by the epi- 
demic of the previous year, became wives again. The 
marriage of the former, who had been left quite well 
off, was of special interest to Susanna since she be- 
came her sister-in-law, Mrs. Kenelm Winslow, the 
third Mrs. Winslow of Plymouth and Marshfield, as 
all had summer places in the latter suburb of Plym- 
outh Cares well, the Edward Winslow place, soon 

became a permanent abode, handsome of style and 
proportions. 

This year saw sorrow once more fall on the mem- 
bers of the old families — bound together by the 
powerful ties formed in the old days — and many 
more, for at its close, the Governor's wife was taken 
by death — and Patience Brewster Prence's short, 
happy life was over. The religious- convictions of 
the Pilgrims did not admit of undue mourning for 
their loved ones, since they regarded the departed 
not as victims to death, but as victors through death, 



170 The Women of the Mayflower 

and the lives of those remaining must go on. Hearts 
were true, nevertheless, and even in their wills the 
men sometimes especially requested to be laid beside 
the graves of their wives and daughters. 

The following year, April, brought a marriage 
ceremony performed by Captain Standish, as as- 
sistant, which was of interest to many — that of 
Samuel Fuller, loved for his own admirable qualities 
as well as for being the nephew of their Doctor of 
happy memory. His bride was one of the girls who 
had helped in the new settlement of Scituate, found- 
ed by her father and other men from Kent, in Eng- 
land. In spite of all his pretty playmates in Plym- 
outh, Samuel found this girl of old England was 
the one to receive his heart. But Jane Lothrop took 
him from Plymouth to the newer township. 

In August a furious storm broke over Plymouth 
and the surrounding land and sea, inflicting great 
damage and terrifying the women and children. It 
wrecked many ships, killed cattle and blew roofs 
from many of the houses and knocked others to 
pieces in Plymouth, and uprooted quantities of great 
trees; the evidences of it were prominent for many 
years in the blemished beauty of the great pines 
which withstood the hurricane, still remaining the 
sentinels of Plymouth. 

When Edward Winslow returned, he again served 
as Governor, and one of the weddings of that year 
was Mary Allerton's. She was last but one of the 
Mayflower girls to marry — Damaris Hopkins' 
marriage to Jacob Cooke completed the list. Mary's 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 171 

courtship had begun in childhood's days, when 
Thomas Cushman, in the house across the street, had 
waited for her to grow up — while growing up him- 
self and pursuing his studies with the other boys in 
the Governor's family. At the time of her marriage 
the rumblings of the Pequot war were beginning to 
be heard, which soon broke, owing to the mistakes of 
the Bay Colony, causing the old time fears to return 
to Plymouth women for the safety of their men and 
themselves. Under Captain Standish, the Plymouth 
men played their valiant part, and Thomas Stanton, 
the interpreter for Massachusetts, and Captain John 
Gallup did their full share to redeem the situation. 

Richard Church had not long before come from 
the Bay Colony to visit Plymouth, but meeting 
Elizabeth Warren decided him to remain perma- 
nently, in spite of displeasure from the Bay au- 
thorities, who missed him. He was one of the 
Plymouth fighters in this Indian disturbance, as his 
and Elizabeth's son, Benjamin, was in the greater, 
bloodier war of a later time — King Philip 's — when 
the Pilgrim's good friend, Massasoit, was dead. 
Plymouth tried to settle down to its own affairs after 
this, and had plenty to attend to. 

A lovely June day seemed ushering in another 
summer when an unknown experience marked that 
year as one to date by even as the one of the great 
storm. That morning some of the principal men 
were meeting to discuss important questions, and in 
the street and about the doorsteps many of the 
women were talking of their own or public affairs. 



172 The Women of the Mayflower 

when a violent though brief earthquake shook them 
from their balance, and catching hold of whatever 
was nearest, they heard the crashing and falling of 
things in their houses. The children were fright- 
ened and began to cry, and all the women who were 
indoors came running out, fearing the houses would 
fall. The men were no less concerned and the 
streets presented a lively scene. Another shock was 
soon felt but less severe, and that was the end. 
Indians came hurrying into the town with their ex- 
perience to relate; the quake was felt far inland 
and at sea. What with the frightful storm, the 
alarming Pequot trouble and this terrifying expe- 
rience, all within a comparatively short time, the 
nerves of the women must have been more on edge 
than for many a day. 

The young people of Marshfield and Duxbury, 
married and single, clung closely to their friends 
and associations of Plymouth and their amusements 
were shared in common. Weekly lecture day, a 
diversion of sober character, was nevertheless gladly 
welcomed as a means of enjoyable intercourse, going 
or returning. Maple sugar making, Training day, 
corn husking, apple bees were occasions for merry 
gatherings, the sequence found in the frequent wed- 
dings. Dancing became popular, though frowned on 
in some quarters, but it could not be repressed in 
an age when the desire for physical activity and ex- 
citement was as natural as now. Some of those 
early dance names such as High Betty Martin, Con- 
stancy, Orange Tree, Rolling Hornpipe, The Ladies 



and Women of Plymoiith Colony 173 

Choice, compare with our recent names of Hesita- 
tion, Fox Trot, One Step. 

The Coast Road from Boston, though never more 
than a few feet wider than the old Indian trail, 
came to mean to the dwellers in the various town- 
ships of Plymouth such an artery of connection to 
the life of all as the Great North Road had been to 
the inhabitants of the little villages, Scrooby and its 
neighbors, long ago homes to the elder members of 
the Colony. 

The coldest winter Plymouth has ever known has 
frozen the harbor to a solid mass over which ox 
teams and sledges have been driven for several 
weeks, an astonishing and interesting sight and one 
may walk over the ice to Duxbury as well as by the 
land. One afternoon bright with the lengthening 
daylight of the season, sees a pleasant picture in the 
old parlor of Governor Bradford's house, for he is 
again Governor, by urgent request of the commun- 
ity. A cheery fire blazes up the wide chimney and 
there is gay chatter to the tune of the crackling logs. 
Mistress Alice Bradford, now a grandmother (her 
son. Constant Southworth having married Elizabeth 
Collier and having a little Alice) has invited several 
of her daughter's special friends to spend the day. 
So we see Mercy, a delightful reproduction of her 
mother and father both, as hostess to nine merr3^ 
girls : Mary Brewster, Betty and Sally Alden, from 
Duxbury, Mary Cooke, Mercy Fuller and Deborah 
Hopkins of Plymouth, Lora Standish of Duxbury 



174 The Women of the Mayflower 

and Desire and Hope Ilowland. Elizabeth Tilly 
had given charming companion names to her older 
daughters, her first born having been named in 
remembrance of Desire Minter, her dear friend. 
Desire was now at the age of her mother when she 
had married — that mother seeming always as an 
older sister, being still young herself in spite of the 
cares of a large family — but it was more than a 
year later before Desire decided to marry, and be 
the first bride, though not the eldest, of this pretty 
group. The girls of this generation never having 
experienced the world's hardships and vicissitudes 
that had been their mother's portions, having been 
carefully and lovingly brought up in comfortable, 
cheerful homes, were not anxious to leave them for 
the first time, even with love to point the way. 
However, Desire was beginning to listen to the im- 
portunities of her dashing young lieutenant — in 
later years known as Captain John Gorham, who 
was to lead the 2nd Barnstable Company under 
command of Major William Bradford, Mercy's 
brother, into fame, at the Great Swamp Fight in 
Philip's War. The swift knitting needles click in 
Desire's hands as she stands by the frame-work of 
the western window, leaning to watch the progress 
of the sampler which is being worked by a lovely 
girl who is sharing the broad window seat with 
another, who has evidently completed her sewing, 
having just folded it and put it into a bag hanging 
from her arm. This young beauty is Betty Alden — 
eldest of the family of John and Priscilla. She too, 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 175 

is eagerly watching the stitches that are to tell the 
worker's admirers and friends, from that day to 
this, that the sampler was made by Lora Standish, 
only and much beloved daughter of the Pilgrim's 
Captain. That piece of handicraft is the only speci- 
men of their work that we know of and may look at 
today as if we had seen it when its stitches were 
being placed, among the group we are picturing of 
Plymouth Colony's first-born daughters — the first 
native generation of Colonial girls of New England. 
On a seat by the hearth, Mary Cooke and Mercy 
Fuller have a book between them and are reading 
aloud snatches of receipts for making perfumes, or 
poetry, or jokes — this is not a monthly magazine 
as we might fancy from our own experience, but a 
yearly periodical, welcomed by every household — 
Pierce's Almanac, printed in Cambridge, its con- 
tents holding much that is similar but much that 
is different to the magazines we know. Leaning 
over the high back, smoothing the soft hair of Mercy 
Fuller, is Hope Rowland. Bonny as her sister is, 
somehow Hope reminds us more of little Elizabeth 
Tilly of Leyden. Mercy Bradford is placing little 
cakes with a pitcher of cider on a big center table 
and lights one or two bayberry candles in wooden 
holders that stand upon its polished top and twinkle 
on it or in the shining pewter dishes and cups. At 
the window towards the street, Deborah Hopkins 
and Mary Brewster, granddaughter and namesake of 
our first Mary Brewster, are looking out — evident- 
ly some one is expected. The last rays of the win- 



176 The Women of the Mayflower 

ter sun, the flashing fire and the glowing bayberry 
flames, strive to light for one more instant this ap- 
pealing picture. There is sound of footsteps in the 
cold air outside — stamping and laughing — the 
brothers and sweethearts have arrived to take the 
girls home but first to have some slight refreshment 
at the hands of Mistress Bradford and Mercy. 
Cloaks are brought and velvet hoods tied snugly 
over hair both light and dark, surrounding the pink 
cheeks and sparkling eyes of all the happy girls 
who have spent the day with Mercy Bradford and 
her mother. 

The snowflakes of winter have turned to falling 
apple blossoms and spring has awakened the violets 
in the flower beds under the windows of William 
Brewster's library. The fragrance of these and 
other blossoms is borne through the white curtained 
windows open to the warm air, mingled with the 
saltness of Duxbury marshes. The library com- 
prises four hundred books, the largest and most 
valuable in America. Whether it is or no, matters 
not, the books are the solace of their owner, who 
while enjoying his farm life and appreciating the 
companionship of his son's families and Isaac Al- 
lerton, Jr., his grandson, dwells much within him- 
self. To keep the books dusted and the Elder's 
chair in just the right place, Mrs. Love Brewster 
has often the assistance of her nieces, Jonathan 
Brewster's daughters. This bright morning sees 
Mary, one of the girls in the winter's frolic at Mercy 
Bradford's, attending to these matters. A boy is 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 177 

deep in study by a bookshelf, and Mary, playfully 
sweeps her duster across his book as she works — it 
is her cousin, Isaac — preparing for entrance into 
the new College at Cambridge. Up the road a horse 
comes at a lively pace and Samuel Fuller has ar- 
rived to join with Isaac in reading the precious 
books, though his father left him some of his own. 
The owner of the library glances through the 
window and smiles and nods to the young people — 
Mary seeing him, runs out to enjoy with him the 
sunshine and to pat the horse tied near the door. 
Possibly William Brewster recalls from the past a 
spring morning when another lad rode a horse, to 
acquire knowledge from books — but he says noth- 
ing as Mary slips her arm in his. 

This decade flashes many another change before 
our eyes. In a few years the first church building 
has been erected in Plymouth, with Richard Church 
as architect and builder, as seems appropriate. Its 
bell rings out for many a year, succeeding the roll 
of drums to summon worshipers. Many of the girls 
marry and the younger children succeed to their 
pleasures. Mercy Bradford has gone to live in Bos- 
ton as Mercy Vermayes. Her mother's loneliness is 
partly relieved by the coming to her of her remain- 
ing sister in England, Mary Carpenter. This sister 
is rather notable among the women of Plymouth, in 
that she never married. Her attractions were not 
less than her sisters'; indeed, from what was said of 
her, quite an appropriate companion for the gover- 
nor's wife, her sister, Alice. Another exception to 



178 The Women of the Mayflower 

the general rule may be noted, and another spinster 
of the colony named Elizabeth Pool, daughter of Sir 
William, who coming as Plymouth's boundaries ex- 
panded, and possessing wealth, property and intelli- 
gence, remained unwon. These two esteemed wo- 
men, one a resident of Plymouth town, the other, 
one of the founders of the new township of Taun- 
ton, are an interesting contrast. Miss Carpenter 
lived quietly, uneventfully, until ninety years old; 
of a religious frame of mind and given to kind deeds, 
unknown, through her retiring nature. Miss Pool 
seems much more modern in her career. She erected 
iron works and was altogether enterprising and a 
promoter of advancement for her settlement. She 
brought over a minister for the church in Taunton, 
so had a thought for religion, also, not only for her- 
self but for others. A record states "she died 
greatly honored, in 1654 aged 66." 

Edward Winslow was again governor for a brief 
period and then made another trip to England, at 
the request of the authorities of the Bay, as they 
had recognized his great abilities as a negotiator of 
business interests and there were some affairs press- 
ing on the Bay Colony which he undertook to 
remove. This was to the regret of the Plymouth 
people who were reluctant to have him go from 
their own affairs. He left Susanna and his children, 
almost grown now, in comfortable Careswell, and 
there, for several years, his wife awaited his return. 
Not that the Bay or his own affairs took very long, 
but England herself needed him, as it seemed, and 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 179 

he agreed to a diplomatic mission to an island 
colony. Loving Plymouth and loving England he 
was not destined to rest in either; his grave was 
made in the ocean he had crossed so often. Susanna 
had parted from her husband for the last time. 

Other deaths among the first comers saddened the 
Pilgrims. Elizabeth Hopkins closed her long and 
honorable career as one of the women of Plymouth. 
Her husband soon followed her. In this year per- 
haps its greatest blow fell on Plymouth when their 
leader in spiritual and often advisor in temporal 
things passed from among them. No words can more 
fittingly describe the beautiful end of his earthly 
life than those of the governor. There is no greater 
record of loyalty and affection than that shown in 
the nearly fifty years between his followers and him- 
self. While his fame, as William Bradford said, is 
more enduring than a marker at his grave — which 
he lacks, in company with so many — such words as 
the governor wrote of him and such work as Con- 
stantino Brumidi has made to represent him, serve 
to keep it vigorous through the centuries. (In the 
President's room at the Capitol in Washington, 
Brumidi has painted Elder Brewster as typifying 
Religion.) 

When Mary Chilton Winslow moved to Boston, it 
could not have seemed more strange or different 
than Plymouth had come to be to her by that time. 
Except the Aldens, the Howlands and her sister-in- 
law, few remained who had been her companions 
and friends on the Mayflower and in building the 



180 The Women of the Mayflower 

colony. Her husband had become a prosperous mer- 
chant in the West India trade and perhaps Boston 
seemed a necessary relief to them. Their position 
became at once prominent and important and her 
life flowed happily onward for many years. In one 
of her daughters, Myles Standish, Jr., found his fate, 
and upon their marriage likewise settled in Boston. 

Meanwhile Susanna AVinslow continued in emi- 
nence of circumstance, to live at her beautiful home 
in Marshfield. Her boys, Resolved and Peregrine, 
had married and made homes of their own but re- 
mained devoted to her. Josiah, her youngest son, 
reproducing in a marked degree the look and man- 
ners of his talented father, remained with her. As 
he grew into the handsome, courtly man, whom all 
admired, she must have smiled as she looked some- 
times at the little shoes he had worn as her baby and 
which she carefully kept with other treasures — 
such as the cradle in which she had rocked all her 
boys and little girl. That little girl was now Mrs. 
Robert Brooks of Scituate. 

In the heyday of Plymouth's prosperitj^ a gentle- 
man in England, long interested in colonial life by 
the reports of it which had found their way to him 
in his comfortable ancestral home, planned a visit 
to see life across the sea. With his young daughter, 
Penelope, Mr. Herbert Pelham came to the Old 
Colony. The spirit of adventure in them both and 
the interest they found in their new surroundings 
caused them to linger for a period beyond the length 
of a casual visit in their temporary home in Marsh- 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 181 

field. To the men, the companionship of Herbert 
Pelham was a delight, and seeing her father's pleas- 
ure, Penelope, with her own various employments, 
did not long for home. Her's is the last romance 
we may notice as closely connected with the women 
of our special interest in Plymouth colony, even 
as that of her mother-in-law, was the first. Pene- 
lope Pelham, with her high-bred manner and aristo- 
cratic face, made the only permanent impression on 
the heart of Josiah Winslow and we can easily fancy 
that in making her bead bag, Penelope had plenty 
of time to decide that for him she would renounce 
all thought of returning to her home, and remain a 
colonial woman. The bead bag, her dressing-case 
and her portrait are other links connecting us to 
those vivid lives of our chronicle. 

Soon Josiah Winslow was called to the place occu- 
pied by his father, for a time, and by William Brad- 
ford for many years — when the great governor had 
left it vacant, forever — so Penelope became the 
first lady of the land in her adopted home and 
Susanna closed her life's history in the first place 
which had been hers so often in the colony — first 
mother after the Mayflower found harbor, first bride 
of Plymouth and now mother of the first native 
born governor of New England. Truly the foot- 
prints of Anna Fuller, since we found them first 
in Leyden, have led us along a colorful pathway. 

The records we find of her brilliant daughter-in- 
law show her a character after Susanna Winslow 's 
own type. The second mistress of Careswell lived 



182 The 'Women of the Mayfloiver 

there for many happy years ere she and her family 
were forced to flee from it under the fearful scourge 
of Philip's War. 

Thus on through its seventy years of shadow and 
sunshine, heroic daring, splendid achievement and 
independence, we may follow the fascinating rec- 
ords of Plymouth Colony — especially as thocje 
records are tinted even faintly by the foot-prints 
and finger-touches of its women. 

As the first death on the Mayflower at anchor was 
that of a woman, Dorothy Bradford, so the last sur- 
vivor of the original Mayflower company was a wo- 
man, Mary Allerton Cushman, who saw all of the 
life with its chances and changes of which we read. 

Through the years we may well believe that the 
women of the Mayflower who became the women of 
Plymouth, and their children, whether in newer 
homes or remaining in the old, looked back to the 
early days of their privation, when by their anxie- 
ties, their sorrows, their economies, their endeavors, 
their fearlessness and faith, the foundation of their 
colony was laid. 

We may well echo their thoughts as they remem- 
bered some of Elder Brewster's words on their first 
Thanksgiving Day, which one orator has expressed as 
"Generations to come will look back to this hour and 
these scenes, this day of small things and say, 'Here 
was our beginning as a people. These were our 
fathers and mothers. Through their trials we inherit 
our blessings. Their faith is our faith, their hope 
our hope, their God our God.' " 



A CHAPLET OF ROSEMARY. 



A CHAPLET OF ROSEMARY. 

BuRiAjj Hill no longer bristles with the guns of 
the Pilgrim's fort but is thickly studded with the 
graves of the generations who in turn walked on 
Plymouth's first street below. One traversing this 
way and r.ecalling the scenes it has witnessed, must 
be indeed insensitive not to feel the thrill that comes 
from treading on hallowed ground. Particularly 
must this be experienced by the descendants of the 
women we would honor. 

We know that upon Cole's Hill, Burial Hill and 
in the old burying grounds at Duxbury and Marsh- 
field are the graves of many of the women of Plym- 
outh, and some lie elsewhere, yet the exact location 
of how few is positive. 

The second wife of Governor Bradford requested 
in her will that she might be laid as near her hus- 
band's grave as might be. Their family plot is 
easily found. By another will, that of Captain 
Myles Standish, we may know where two of the wo- 
men of his family rest — since his own grave is 
located and his request was to lie beside his two dear 
daughters — one his son's wife Mary, the other his 
own lovely Lora, whose early death caused him much 
sorrow. At Marshfield, in the family burying 
ground, Susanna Winslow rests. A stone in the cen- 
ter of the town of Taunton marks the grave of Eliza- 



186 The Women of the Mayflower 

beth Pool. A tablet at Little Compton, has been 
erected to the memory of Elizabeth Pabodie, John 
and Priseilla Alden's eldest daughter; she lived her 
later years in this place. Mary Chilton Winslow 
lies beside her husband, in King's Chapel Burying 
Ground, Boston ; their names are marked upon a 
slab at the gate in Tremont Street. Elizabeth Tilly 
Howland, after she became a widow, went to live 
with her daughter, Lydia Bro^\^l, in Swansea and 
there died; her husband's grave on Burial Hill is 
known, but she was not brought back to rest beside 
him. The grave of Mary Allerton, who lived to 
such a great age and saw the foundations of twelve 
of the thirteen colonies which formed the nucleus 
of the United States, is indicated by a monument 
erected to her and her husband on Burial Hill. 

We would willingly make a pilgrimage to visit 
each known spot, regretting, the while, that there 
were so many we might not include. Yet upon all 
we may place the same unfading, if invisible, wreath 
of the leaves that signify remembrance. 

Descendants of the women of Plymouth are now 
estimated to number more than a million. It is for 
them especially to rejoice in the results of artist's 
brush, writer's pen or sculptor's tool that have been 
produced in efforts to recall to all the world that 
epoch in its history in which these women lived, by 
portraying the events of which they were a part. 

Thus we have such pictures as Jacob and Albert 
Cuyp's painting of the "Departure of the Pilgrims 
from Delfshaven." J. G. Schwartz's picture of 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 187 

"The Pilgrim Fathers' First Meeting for Public 
Worship in North America." "The Embarkation 
of the Pilgrim Fathers," painted by Charles W. 
Cope, hangs in the British House of Parliament. 
"The Sailing of the Mayflower," a painting in the 
audit house, Southampton, England — no more ap- 
propriate setting could be found for that portrayal. 
Charles Lucy has called his picture "Departure of 
the Pilgrims," it is in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth — 
that Memorial temple. Robert W. Wier's painting 
of "Embarkation of the Pilgrims" hangs in the na- 
tion's Capitol, while Edgar Parker's copy of it is in 
Pilgrim Hall. A. Gisbert has given us his idea of 
the "Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth 
Rock," and the "Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" 
is the title taken by Henry Sargent. "The May- 
flower in Plymouth Harbor," is portrayed by W. F. 
Halsall, and Granville Perkins has visualized "The 
Mayflower at Sea," while Linton has engraved this 
subject. George H. Boughton has made charming 
and familiar reproductions of the Pilgrim men and 
women, and many another artist's ideal has been 
depicted in the variations of the subject. 

Fiction, verse and chronicle with the themes of 
the voyage and the Plymouth home of the Pilgrims 
have been produced by many able pens. Skillful 
historians, essayists, orators have done justice to the 
men ; the events entering into their lives, the cour- 
age and valor which each day brought forth, have 
been recorded with emphasis and unflagging zeal. 
We are indeed glad and appreciative of the constant 



188 The Women of the Mayflower 

narration of the facts with which we have become fa- 
miliar. At the same time, the regret comes to us that 
of the women so little has been said ; that the bal- 
ance of the two groups of the colony builders has 
not been better kept. 

Of the Fathers we are accustomed to hear, but our 
gratitude salutes those who occasionally mention the 
Mothers and Daughters, They were two character- 
istic notes in the making of that Pilgrim score but 
because the latter was more lightly struck it has 
been too lightly regarded. Nevertheless, we rejoice 
that we know as much as we do of the women, and 
in the knowledge that increasing recognition is being 
given them. 

Recently a plan was made that a chime of bells 
should be placed in the tower of the Pilgrim Monu- 
ment at Provincetown and dedicated to the Women 
of the Mayflower by their descendants. More 
recently still, Henry H. Kitson has modeled a statuo 
of a Pilgrim Woman for erection at Plymouth, in 
their memory. We may recall here the noble monu- 
ment erected by the nation to the Pilgrims. In this 
design a woman is the exalted figure who holds the 
book and gazes over the sea. Also of the four im- 
portant though lesser figures, two are women. Hon. 
John D. Long has said of the heroic figure, "Her 
eyes look toward the sea. Forever she beholds upon 
its waves the incoming '' Mayflower," she sees the 
Pilgrims land. They vanish, but she, the monument 
of their faith remains and tells their story to the 
world," which, as another has said, "in romance of 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 189 

circumstance and charm of personal heroism . . . 
is pre-eminent." 

Well may be seen the qualities of heart and mind 
reproduced in countless of their descendants who 
have carried on the influence of their personality 
and work, deepening its roots down through the 
years. "The light they kindled has shone to many, 
in some degree to our whole nation." In proof of 
this is a relation of some who have claimed descent 
from a Pilgrim of the Mayflower or of Plymouth. 
This will comprise Presidents of the United States, 
presidents of universities or colleges, jurists, dip- 
lomats, writers, artists, military and naval men of 
all our wars, governors of states, church dignita- 
ries, physicians, scientists, senators, representatives, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence, makers 
of the Constitution. It is difficult to begin, more so 
to pause, in such a list. 

Annie A. Haxtun has said of one to be mentioned, 
"John Tilly's spirit of adventure has fallen upon 
one, at least of his descendants. General A. W. 
Greely, the Arctic explorer, watched over by the 
God of his Pilgrim forefathers, was saved by the 
naval relief expedition to do good to the country, 
which is his on a claim of more than two centuries." 
It is John and Hope Chipman, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth Tilly Rowland, who are also ances- 
tors of General Greely; and it may here be said that 
it is partly through his suggestion that the subject 
of this work was projected (in the smaller form of 
its first appearance) ; the other descendant likewise 



190 The Women of the Mayflower 

responsible was Mr. William Lowrie Marsh, of Wash- 
ington, D, C, founder of the Society of Mayflower 
Descendants in that city ; the ancestors of Mr. Marsh 
were William and Alice Bradford. 

John and Priscilla Alden, William and Mary 
Brewster, Richard and Elizabeth Warren and Fran 
cis and Hester Cooke have as their descendants those 
who have been Presidents of the Republic : John 
Adams and John Quincy Adams, Zachary Taylor, 
Ulysses Simpson Grant and William Howard Taft. 
Also from the Aldens have descended President 
Wheelock of Dartmouth College and President Kirk- 
land of Harvard. 

Bishop Soule of the Methodist Church is in line 
of descent from George Soule and his wife. 

Descendants of Giles Hopkins and Catherine 
Wheeldon have added distinction to the family. 
Stephen Hopkins, great grandson of the original, 
again made the name famous by placing it among 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence, 
while his brother, Ezekiel, became the first admiral 
of our national na\'y. At the present time it is 
important through Colonel Thomas S. Hopkins, a 
veteran of the Civil War, past Governor-General of 
the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and 
a prominent lawyer and resident of Washington, 
D. C. 

In Washington, also, Mr. Ernest W. Bradford, an 
able patent lawyer, continues the eminence of the 
name of his ancestors. Washington, likewise, is the 
residence of Mr. A. A. Aspinwall, historian of that 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 191 

city's Society of Mayflower Descendants, represent- 
ing John and Elizabeth Howland. 

A descendant of Francis and Hester Cooke is 
Major General Leonard Wood, at present Governor- 
General of the General Society of Mayflower De- 
scendants. 

The late Hon. Levi P. Morton, one time governor 
of New York State and Vice-President of the United 
States, was descended from the Hopkins and Cooke 
as well as Morton families. 

From John and Priscilla Alden have come the 
poets William Cullen Bryant and Henry Wadsworth 
Longfellow, and the first Bishop of the Episcopal 
Church in America, Samuel Seabury; also the Revo- 
lutionary War Generals, Joseph and James Warren, 
the former of Bunker Hill fame, the latter President 
of the Congress of Massachusetts and husband of 
Mercy Otis, writer and patriot. Benjamin Church 
on whom the mantle of Myles Standish fell as Plym- 
outh's military leader, was the son of Elizabeth 
Warren and Richard Church. 

In line of descent from Mary and William Brews- 
ter is a family of North Carolina, interesting in 
three generations. Chief Justice Richmond Mum- 
ford Pearson, Hon. Richmond Pearson, Envoy Ex- 
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the 
United States to Persia, Captain Richmond Pearson 
Hobson, a hero of the Spanish American War. 

From them also is Donald Grant Mitehel, author, 
Lieut, Alden Davidson, an aviator in the World War 
died for his country; as his name implies, John and 



192 The Women of the Mayflower 

Priscilla Alden were his ancestors. A great great 
granddaughter of theirs was Faith Robinson; she 
married Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, George 
Washington's "Brother Jonathan" which name 
gradually became a synonym for a typical Ameri- 
can, She gained fame for giving her scarlet cloak 
at a church collection for the army, in which she 
was decidedly interested, having three sons as offi- 
cers. Her fourth son was the famous artist. Mrs. 
May Alden Ward, author, was a descendant in a 
recent generation. 

From Mary (Allerton) and Thomas Cushman 
came America's famous tragedienne, Charlotte 
Cushman ; also Mr. Cushman K. Davis, Governor of 
Minnesota, who made the speech of dedication at the 
ceremonies connected with the Cushman Monument 
on Burial Hill. 

From Constance Hopkins and her husband Nicho- 
las Snow, Robert Treat Paine, signer of the Declara- 
tion of Independance, and Robert Treat Paine, poet 
were descended. 

In the convention which framed the Constitution 
John Tilly and the Rowlands were represented by 
their descendant — through Desire Howland and 
Captain John Gorham — Nathaniel Gorham, who, as 
a member, was several times requested by General 
Washington to occupy the chair. 

From this same group came Bishop Philips 
Brooks. As it is said, John Howland came to this 
country in the capacity of secretary to Governor 
John Carver, one, at least, of his and Elizabeth's 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 193 

descendants filled that position toward another ce- 
lebrity. Edward Herbert Noyes, journalist and 
traveller, first returned to the land of his ancestors 
as private secretary to Hon. John Lothrop Motley, 
historian and diplomatist, United States Ambassa- 
dor to the Court of St. James. Rev. Thomas 
Clap, fourth President of Yale College, was also 
of the line of Howland, while his wife, Mary 
Whiting, was descended from Governor Bradford 
and his wife. 

From Mary Chilton and her husband John Wins- 
low, comes Mrs. Robert Hall Wiles, of Chicago, past 
President of the National Society of United States 
Daughters of the War of 1812 and now serving as 
President-General of the National Society Daugh- 
ters of Founders and Patriots of America. From 
Mary and John Winslow, also, came Lieutenant 
Sturdevant, another young aviator of the World 
War, killed over-seas in the service of his country. 

For another repetion of the exact name of his an 
eestor there is Doctor Myles Standish, a noted 
occulist of Boston. In the medical profession also 
Doctor Stuart Clark Johnson of Washington and 
Doctor Ira Hart Noyes of Providence, the first from 
John and Priscilla Alden, the second from John and 
Elizabeth Howland, both answering the call of duty 
to country in the World War, to serve over-seas. 

Two residents of Washington are Hon. William S. 
Washburne — United Sta,tes Civil Service Commis- 
sioner and Mr. Frank Herbert Briggs of the Court 
of Claims — descended respectively from Francis 



194 The Women of the Mayflower 

and Hester Cooke, and the Brewster, Bradford and 
Alden families. 

The late Henry Billings Brown, Associate Justice 
of the Supreme Court of the United States was 
another descendant of John and Elizabeth Howland 
while the late Seth Shepherd, Chief Justice of the 
Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, was 
another representative of the line of William and 
Mary Brewster. Mr. A. Howard Clark, who was 
editor of the magazine of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion, was a descendant from the Brewsters, Hop- 
kins and Howlands. The name of Howland Davis 
tells plainly why he has done so much for present 
day Plymouth and the Society of Mayflower De- 
scendants. 

In the United States Senate are three prominent 
descendants of the Pilgrims. The ancestors of Sena- 
tor Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, chairman 
of Committee on Foreign Relations, are John and 
Elizabeth Tilly Howland. The Senators from New 
York and Vermont, Hon. James "Wolcott Wads- 
worth, Jr., and Hon. Carroll Smally Page, are 
descendants respectively from Giles and Catharine 
Hopkins and William and Mary Brewster. 

A descendant in the person of William Wallace 
Case, has visited Scrooby and brought from there a 
piece of oak once a part of the old Manor house, 
home of his ancestors, William and Mary Brewster 
— this priceless relic has been made into the gavel 
used by the Governor of the District of Columbia 
Society of Mayflower Descendants. 



and Women of Plymouth Colony 195 

In huiidreds of cities and towns and villages of 
the nation there are other and equally consistent 
representatives of the glorious names of their Plym- 
outh ancestors. As we have seen the men in all the 
branches of service to their country, the women may 
be compared no less favorably in what they have 
rendered. In their nation's wars, they have ever 
been faithful, and their efforts as beneficial to the 
men arid cause as were those of their ancestors of 
their own ^ex, whose work was as the mortar in the 
solid foundation wall of the nation they helped to 
build. Someone has said that always in the history 
of mankind the woman has been at her best when she 
has felt herself most needed. Every reason then for 
her to attract as she appears in pioneer days, in 
those of the Revolution or War for the Union and 
in the World War, unfailingly illustrating, uncon- 
sciously or not, the age old motto of Noblesse Oblige. 

In hamlet or city, women descendants of Plym- 
outh women upheld the honor of their men and 
country in Red Cross, Government Loans or *'Y." 
work during the World War. In the Sanitary Com- 
mission and Nursing Units of the Civil War the wo- 
men 's spirit was the same, and in 1776 when their 
days were nearest to the pioneer women, the women 
of the Revolutionary War inheriting the courage 
and self-forgetfulness, matched the heroism of the 
men. Thus each generation of women has met the 
crisis actuated by the same unanimity of purpose 
and devotion — from each in turn their successors 
have caught the falling torch, assuring that they 



196 The Women of the Mayflower 

shall not have lived and worked in vain. And they 
may sleep in peace. 

The American women of today must meet the 
challenge of the women of 1861, 1776 and 1620. She 
must bear comparison with them in fundamental 
things. Patriotism, firmness, thrift, decision and re- 
sourcefulness, characteristics which are their heri- 
tage. As someone has said, "We are living in the 
tomorrow for which they wrought. We are to do 
today with all fidelity each bit of work which lies 
at our hands. This will make our next day brighter 
and by so much, set the world forward. ' ' 

The mission of the Mayflower company was to 
open the way for a successful colonization of the 
New World. Its mission was faithfully performed. 
In studying the details and circumstances relating 
to the immortal voyage and settlement of Plymouth 
— particularly in relation to the women, vested to- 
day with supreme interest and in a glamour 
peculiarly their own, we must feel that that nobility 
of life may be ours as well as theirs and that it may 
illuminate the difficult life of today and make it 
w^orthy to be the fruit of the tree of Liberty they 
helped to plant, in tears and smiles. 

Realizing the heavy debt that we owe to the men 
who were led to undertake the settlement of Plym- 
outh we owe an equal if not greater debt to the 
women who had the courage and spirit to enter with 
them into the great and epoch making adventure. 
These make the shrines which we would visit. It is 
with reverence that we view not only the soil which 



<ind Women of Plymouth Colony 



197 



first they trod but every spot associated with them. 
If history as some one has said is in its unchange- 
able essence a tale, then this particular history is a 
tale that cannot be too often told or heard, not mere- 
ly to hold our attention to the past but by its light 
to look forward with a thrill to the future, to the 
tasks and service for civilization, under the Provi- 
dence by which the women of the Mayflower and the 
women of Plymouth were upheld. This will be the 
best memorial we can give these women all through 
the years ; the remembrance that cannot fade. 




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